Nov 27, 2015
Dreger Report: What's the Leafs' direction on trades?
As TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger writes, the Toronto Maple Leafs' improved play this season could have little effect on the team's strategy going into the Feb. 29 trade deadline.
During a recent discussion with Joffrey Lupul, the conversation shifted from the Toronto Maple Leafs' balancing act of satisfying the market with work ethic and the odd win to maintaining close proximity to the bottom of the league where teams go in search of potential franchise-changing draft picks (like Auston Mathews).
Lupul is focused on the here and now, but knows that trade talk is inevitable. But the notion that Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello will gut this team for choice draft picks and prospects - regardless of Toronto's spot in the standings as the Feb. 29 trade deadline approaches - doesn't make sense to Lupul.
"If the deadline comes and we're in the mix, it's hard to believe they would move out assets," Lupul told The Dreger Report. "I'm sure it will become a very popular topic."
By design, the Leafs envision the core of their rebuild to be made of players 22-and-under. And the hope is that three years from now, they will be ready to turn the corner and be well on their way to becoming a favoured team in the East. So with all due respect to Lupul (32), Tyler Bozak (29), Leo Komarov (28), P.A Parenteau (32), Shawn Matthias (27), Daniel Winnik (30) and every other player born in the eighties, the clock is ticking.
The goal for management today is the same as it was at the end of last season when Brendan Shanahan scorched the earth with mass firings - to acquire as many draft picks as possible to build a better foundation for long-term success. And Leaf brass says no decisions have been made on the direction they intend to take in February.
But if the group of players listed above continue to play as well as they have to this point in the regular season, prospects and quality picks will be offered and players will be traded regardless of the team's place in the standings.
Now frankly, who cares where the Leafs are positioned at the deadline? The fact is, they're not good enough. So if the right offers are made on any player, it will be accepted.
The one true untouchable is 21-year-old Morgan Rielly, who Lupul says helped build his excitement at the start of the season and is well on his way to becoming a top-tier NHL defenceman.
Lupul's confidence in Rielly is backed by the fact that he's already averaging over 22 minutes per game and is challenging for the team lead in points. He is Toronto's most valuable asset right now and Lamoriello is going to have to engage in negotiations to extend his contract sooner rather than later.
While there's nothing on that front right now, both sides are willing to be patient and the outcome will be interesting to see. Based on Rielly's progress, he'll likely command similar term and dollars to what Tyler Myers, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Dougie Hamilton signed for at the end of their entry level deals - five to six years ranging from $5.5 million to $6 million per year.
Has Rielly shown enough in his short time in the NHL to be financially positioned with the big boys? Lamoriello may not see Rielly at that level or in that category, but that won't be determined until meaningful discussions begin.
Speaking Of Contracts
Meanwhile, another veteran general manager is taking a different approach in dealing with two of his more prominent, pending restricted free agents.
Nashville's David Poile has had a number of discussions with CAA Sports, Pat Brisson and JP Barry about extending the contracts of defenceman Seth Jones and forward Filip Forsberg. Poile initiated talks last summer in an effort to get an early jump in the process and properly gauge how both players will impact his payroll in the years ahead.
In Brooklyn, Islanders GM Garth Snow isn't as motivated to sign Kyle Okposo. The 27-year-old sits second in team scoring behind John Tavares, but there doesn't appear to be any urgency to keep the veteran winger who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. It seems more and more likely that Okposo will join teammate Travis Hamonic on the trade market.
Connor The Catalyst
The Edmonton Oilers have lost four out of five one-goal games and seven out of nine overall since Connor McDavid suffered a broken clavicle on Nov. 3.
The Oilers believe, at least in a few of the closer games, McDavid would have been the difference maker. He's already viewed as the team's offensive catalyst, which is high praise for an 18-year-old with just 13 games under his belt. But in a very short period of the time, McDavid has also proven to his coaches, teammates and management that wherever he goes, others will follow.
Linemate Nail Yakupov is a classic example. Yakupov, who's also injured (2-4 weeks with an ankle sprain), had just two assists in the 10 games (Nov. 3 included) since McDavid went down and didn't register a point in eight of the games without his star centre.
The loss of McDavid created many holes and minimized the Oilers to an easily checked one line hockey team.
In the short-term, a glimmer of hope comes in the form of defenceman Justin Schultz, who could play as early as Saturday in Pittsburgh. He's missed 14 games (including Friday night in Detroit) with a back injury and a thin Oilers blue line will welcome his return.
As for McDavid, he's enjoying some fine home cooking at his parents' home in Newmarket, ON, where's been hanging out all week. He'll re-join his teammates Monday in Toronto when the Oilers visit the Leafs and will return to Edmonton with the team that evening.
The Oilers remain pleased with McDavid's progress, but are unable to pinpoint a time frame for his expected return so more testing over the next couple of weeks could provide a more accurate prognosis. He continues to receive treatment to speed up the process, but given the fact that the bone was reset and structurally supported with a plate and screws, ample time is required - even for an 18-year-old - to allow the bone to heal.
Regardless of his restlessness and enthusiasm to get back on the ice, McDavid won't return a minute before everyone involved knows he's ready.
Case Closed?
No news is good news. The NHL won't comment on where it is in terms of reviewing the details associated with Patrick Kane's sexual assault allegations, which were dismissed earlier this month when prosecutors declined to file charges based on a lack of evidence.
Most believe the league will also find no fault and will announce as much when ready, but sources say the NHL isn't there yet. So from an league's perspective, it's not 'case closed' just yet.
Enjoy the weekend and don't forget to tune in to Insider Trading, Tuesday on SportsCentre and on TSN.ca.