Photo: Dan Hamilton-USA Today Sports
In the draft of the nightly edition of Leafs Links, experts discuss the latest developments on the situation of the Maple Leafs goalkeepers, the lack of significant negotiations between Jack Campbell and the Leafs and the recent contract negotiations with the defense of the ‘RFA Rasmus Sandin.
Garrioch: No doubt the Leafs have thrown tires at Matt Murray (TSN1200)
In TSN1200’s In The Box, Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch confirmed that talks have been held between Pierre Dorion and Kyle Dubas about goalkeeper Matt Murray, who has signed for two more seasons at $ 6.25 million AAV.
I can tell you, practically in fact, that the Maple Leafs have surely thrown tires with Senators at Matt Murray. I think this is a team that Matt Murray would actually go to. This is difficult for Pierre Dorion and the senators. I know they’ve already made deals with the Leafs, but I think it’s hard for them.
Garrioch on the availability of Connor Brown:
Connor Brown will be as valuable now as he will be on the February trade deadline. Maybe you can get a second-round pick for Brown this summer or maybe a player with a similar contract. Maybe you could get a first-round pick in the draft.
They have absolutely thrown Brown’s name out there. They are willing to listen if they receive the right offer. There seems to be a feeling that Connor Brown wants to try UFA. I don’t know what happened to the relationship here, but it may have nothing to do with the relationship … It may have to do with the fact that Connor Brown believes he will have a chance to take advantage. do this.
Johnston: Dubas and Sandin’s agent met before draft in Montreal (TSN)
At TSN Insider Trading, the experts provided the latest on the situation of the Leafs goalkeepers and the negotiation of the contract with RFA Rasmus Sandin.
Situation of Johnston on the Leafs in goal for the draft:
I thought it was interesting Kyle Dubas said he is still talking to Jack Campbell and his reps. From what I can tell, there is not much progress towards an agreement here. Right now, a week from free agency, I hope Jack Campbell hits the open market. That makes the Leafs looking for at least one goalie.
They have Petr Mrazek signed with a contract that is far above what he acted. Dubas hinted that he might stay next year. This may come as a surprise to some at Leafs Nation.
As for how they could replace Campbell, Marc-Andre Fleury is a name to consider for Toronto. He’s one of the guys out there. I think the Leafs have an interest in him.
Dreger on the possible destination of Campbell:
There is a difference between having meaningful discussions and negotiations. They are not having meaningful negotiations. It is very likely that Campbell will reach the open market. The two teams that are most interested: I’ll start with the Edmonton Oilers, and then we’ll look at the New Jersey Devils.
We know what the needs of the Oilers are at the finish line. I also think Ken Holland and the Oilers have the stomach to spend five years at $ 5 million for. That will matter to Jack Campbell. There are also the Devils, and Washington and Detroit are honorable mentions.
Johnston on Kyle Dubas’ meeting with Rasmus Sandin’s agent in Montreal:
After Dubas met with reporters, he went to meet with agent Rasmus Sandin in Montreal. I think this is significant. Yes, he needs a contract and is in his second deal. He doesn’t have a lot of leverage or anything, but he’s an important player. His worries are not just money. It’s not just about discussing how the contract works. It’s their role on the team. With Mark Giordano already signed, and Jake Muzzin and Morgan Rielly ahead of him at the depth table, that’s part of what needs to be smoothed out before they get their signature on a contract.
Friedman: It’s not true that Marc-Andre Fleury didn’t want to go to Toronto on the deadline; the sides could not reach a trade (32T Podcast)
In the latest 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman talked about the Leafs ’possible interest in Marc-Andre Fleury and why it looks like contract negotiations have been so quiet between Jack Campbell and the Leafs.
I think the goalkeepers and their reps are trying to figure out who’s inside and who’s outside and where the chairs at the table are. Fleury is one of the guys who has to figure out what he’s thinking. You could have multiple options. One of them is Minnesota. One of them is Pittsburgh. I think one of them could be Colorado. The other could be Toronto.
Fleury, because his starting team is trying to sign him at the Wild, must first make that decision. I think he’s really starting to think about it now, about what he wants to do. I think we could get some clarity about Fleury in the not-so-distant future.
There are people who said they didn’t want to go to Toronto. I don’t think that’s true. I just think the Leafs and Blackhawks couldn’t agree on the trade. Chicago wanted Knies, and Toronto was unwilling to do so. I think if they had made a deal, I would go to Toronto.
Friedman on the cold negotiations between Campbell and the Leafs:
I don’t think much happens. I guess at some point they’ll have a conversation, but I’ve heard that nothing’s going on right now. I think Edmonton is interested. I think New Jersey is interested. Some people have said it will end the Devils and some people say it will end the Oilers. He tells me that people still don’t have it very well.
This has been a strange year of negotiations between Toronto and Campbell. The team does not speak. The agent does not speak. Earlier I reported that I heard Toronto’s first offer at Campbell was 3 x 2.75. That, I think, maybe even before the year starts. What someone told me on Monday was that the third year of this deal was very low.
What I guess is that Campbell came back, as most players would in this situation, with a very large number that the Leafs just said, “We’re not doing that.” I’m not sure if any of these things are still relevant. I have a feeling everyone here would argue that this is over and we are in a new place.
Someone told me on Monday, and it’s been as wild as the Leafs and Campbell haven’t been on the same page in terms of contract all season. Sometimes you have an abyss and you finally move in together … This person told me that they haven’t been in the same universe in a long time and that the third year of this offer to Campbell was “only low”. and with which they must have returned to the opposite end of the spectrum.
What he basically did was close negotiations between the two parties. They haven’t really picked it up again. This is one of those situations where all the goalkeepers, all the teams that need a goalkeeper and all the agents try to figure out where the landscape is. It’s a great poker game right now.
… I have had people who have suggested some that I might be five years old. I think the number five is probably where this comes from.
Weekes: It would be all in Gibson or Fleury if it were the Leafs (TSN1050)
Analyst and reporter Kevin Weekes joined TSN Overdrive to discuss the Leafs ’options on the network and the direction it would take with Petr Mrazek and the free agency market.
Weeks on whether Mrazek could return as Leaf next season:
I can imagine a scenario, yes. Petr Mrazek had a very horrible season last year, and would be the first to say so. Overall, throughout his career, he has played well, but last year he struggled a lot and with injuries. He would be the first to tell you.
Is Mrazek 100% healthy this low season at home in the Czech Republic? Does it feel great? Does it look great? If you feel and look very healthy and well, of course you can come in and play 30-35 and play well. He’s done it all his career so far, except last year.
The question the Leafs will have to cover: where is their health right now? How does it look? How do you feel? Is it 100% healthy? Can we depend on our hips and groin to be the reliable core stabilizing musculature we will need to give us a kick for 30-35 games next year? This is what they weigh and must weigh.
Once they can better check it out in an accurate way, then they can make their decision. Even if you want to transfer it to another suitor, the buyer will also have to do his homework, and there must be this reliability so that the buyer can acquire it. That’s a bit of a downside now. They will have to weigh it if you are the Leafs and Kyle Dubas.
Weeks on the best goal solution for the Leafs this offseason:
Five years ago, at the Hockey World Cup, I told Shanny and Lou Lamoriello, two people I know a lot; I played with Shanny and played with Lou twice: they stole Freddy Andersen. For the past three years, I’ve been telling NHL Network and ESPN to go find John Gibson.
I’ve been tracking John Gibson since he played Kitchener. He is a Pittsburgh kid who played Kitchener and made money in the U17, U18 and World Junior: gold in all of them. He was in the men’s world championship after his senior year at Kitchener. He was three times All-Star playing in Anaheim.
I don’t understand why they haven’t come out yet and caught him. Everyone tells you on every home court: no goalkeeper, you can’t win anything. Then go get the boy!
If they are not going to look for Gibson through trade, the most attractive solution on the market if it is not Gibson is Marc-Andre Fleury. If I were them, they would have to get one of these two guys.
If I’m Kyle and Shanny, we don’t rest this off-season and until we have Gibson or MA Fleury in free agency.
Weeks…