The Leafs sit comfortably atop the North Division, so is there anything that they would like to add before the trade deadline? What is Alex Goligoski's status in Arizona? Is John Tortorella's future stable in Columbus? Darren Dreger, Pierre LeBrun and Frank Seravalli discuss this and more.
James Duthie: The Toronto Maple Leafs are 17-4-2, six points clear of anyone in the National Hockey League entering play on Tuesday night. They just shut out the Edmonton Oilers twice in a row, without Auston Matthews. So we ask, with under six weeks until the trade deadline, is there anything they need or want?
Frank Seravalli: Mikael Granlund was No. 6 on the TSN Trade Bait Board that debuted on Monday, but I have a new name to add to the mix. That would be Alex Goligoski, the defenceman from the Arizona Coyotes who has been playing top-pair minutes, the pending unrestricted free agent, there has been no negotiations on a contract extension. He is an interesting guy because of the minutes he logs, but also because he is a left-shooting defenceman, but likes –and is comfortable with – playing on the right side. So he could be another name added to the mix when we do the Trade Bait Board.
Duthie: Vote of confidence doesn’t always mean much in sports, we’ve heard a vote of confidence a lot of times, and a guy gets fired a week later. But for now, John Tortorella is safe in Columbus?
Duthie: It’s been one month since the New York Rangers cut ties with Tony DeAngelo and so far no takers for a player whose career has been full of controversy, what’s next for him?
Seravalli: Tony DeAngelo has expressed interest in a loan to the American Hockey League. That’s what he let the Rangers know, that he’d like to get playing again, he’s been skating for the last month to this point on his own. He’s willing to accept a loan to any AHL franchise and I believe the Rangers are interested in facilitating that, but it would take someone else stepping up to do so. Because the Rangers have let him know he’s not welcome in Hartford, the ties have been cut with the entire Rangers organization to this point.
Duthie: Once we get through TradeCentre in April, we’ll turn our attention to Free Agent Frenzy and could Dougie Hamilton be available?
Duthie: Right around free agency there is supposed to be a draft, what is the latest there?
Dreger: A decision has to be made on whether or not to move it in the very near future. Sources say the National Hockey League and Players’ Association will virtually meet to discuss the issue perhaps as early as Thursday.