TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger joined Domino’s That’s Hockey host Gino Reda on Wednesday to discuss the Toronto Maple Leafs hiring Jim Hiller as head coach, the trade interest in Matthew Knies, what else Toronto is willing to listen on, Connor Hellebuyck’s future in Winnipeg, and Vincent Trocheck changing agents amid trade speculation.
Maple Leafs hire Hiller
Reda: After a very thorough search that apparently included dozens of interviews, the Leafs landed on Jim Hiller as their new head coach. Almost three seasons of head coaching experience in the NHL before the Kings fired him back in March. Dregs, how did we get here and are you surprised by their choice?
Dreger: Well, a little bit surprised and the reaction from around the National Hockey League is equally surprising and somewhat eye-opening, given the fact that Jim Hiller’s name maybe isn’t the sexiest of names out there in terms of what has been speculated over the last number of weeks, I would say, Gino.
But from a Maple Leafs perspective, management of the Maple Leafs, I think that they were lured by the experience in the market. We know that Jim Hiller was an assistant coach to the Toronto Maple Leafs during the Mike Babcock regime. So, he’s got at least some level of experience with the core. And there’s also a belief that the second time around for NHL head coaches often leads to a better quality of coach. So, the mistakes that Hiller may have made on the bench as a first-time coach in L.A., maybe he won’t make the same mistakes as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He’s a defensive-minded coach, but I’m also told that there’s a progressive side to Jim Hiller as well, and I’m sure he presented that to John Chayka and the brass of the Maple Leafs.
Maple Leafs deal Woll, is Knies next?
Reda: The Maple Leafs made a deal that involved their goaltender, Joseph Woll, on Tuesday, and there’s still a lot of chatter out there surrounding Matthew Knies. He’s obviously very attractive because he’s continuing to draw a lot of attention, Dregs.
Dreger: Yeah, rightfully so. And depending on who you talk to, Gino, there are a number of NHL executives out there who believe that Matthew Knies will be traded. I don’t think you’re going to get anything as definitive as that from the Maple Leafs at this point. But John Chayka is definitely doing his due diligence, as are other clubs, finding out why Matthew Knies would be available for trade.
And I think from a Toronto standpoint, you’re just fishing for whatever the best return can be. I know that Matthew Knies is working hard during this off-season, he’s trying to trim down. I mean, he was in the mid-230s, Gino. That was his playing weight. And he’s a big power forward, but I think he believes that he can be maybe a little bit quicker if he gets into the 220s and maybe less injury prone.
“But again, there’s a belief that the Leafs are at least willing to trade Matthew Knies. The conversations are ongoing with multiple teams with considerable interest in Knies. So we’ll have to see how that develops.”
Rielly out, Raddysh in?
Reda: Okay, Dregs, they’re listening on Knies. They’ve already moved one of their goalies. What else are they listening on right now?
Dreger: Just about everything. I’m told that it’s less likely that they move the first pick overall, unless Chayka obviously is blown away. They’re not going to trade Auston Matthews at this point. So I think you’re looking at maybe a revamp of the blue line, Gino.
We know that Morgan Riley is going to have a change of address. At least that seems more likely. They’re not pushing that just yet, but there’s been enough talk around that. That’s the expectation from the Morgan Riley camp. I know that there are calls coming in on Jake McCabe as well, and teams continuing to do their work around McCabe in terms of his health and what his future might look like.
And I think all of this, Gina, was kind of designed with a focus on unrestricted free agency. What if Tampa Bay’s Darren Raddysh hits the open open market. I’m told that the Maple Leafs absolutely covet Raddysh and they’re trying to create the cap space to make sure that they’re a big-time player again if he gets to July 1.
Is Hellebuyck available?
Reda: All right, let’s shift west. Talk coming out of Winnipeg surrounding Connor Hellebuyck on locker cleanout day. He delivered an ominous message saying all that matters to him now is winning the Cup and that something’s got to happen in Winnipeg. Is that generating some talk around the league, Dregs?
Dreger: Yeah, more than talk, certainly noise in the Winnipeg market. And now it’s drifting to us here nationally. And mostly it’s all based on speculation. But hey, it’s the old adage, Gino, where there’s smoke, often there is fire. And what I can tell you from Winnipeg’s standpoint is that Kevin Cheveldayoff, the GM of the Jets, is at least in a position where he knows he has to listen.
So yes, teams are calling. And it’s likely based on what Connor Hellebuyck said as he shared his disappointment for the finish in the Winnipeg Jets season. So listening, and then you look at the needs that Winnipeg has. They very much want a No. 2 centre. They’d like to add a depth centre, like a (fourth-line) centre. They’d like to look at their blueline. And if they trade Connor Hellebuyck, Gino, then they’re going to have to pay some attention to their goaltending as well.
The unrestricted free agent market is so thin right now, and history tells us that Winnipeg struggles in making big trades because it’s hard to lure players with trade protection to Winnipeg. But when you’ve got a Vezina Trophy-winning goalie, who granted has a no-move clause, potentially in play, and teams are calling, if the Winnipeg Jets can improve their lineup by adding a number two center plus, plus, then I think Cheveldayoff is at least willing at this point to consider that.
Trocheck changes agents
Reda: It’s not unusual to hear about a player changing agents at the end of a contract, but a little less common midstream. Vincent Trocheck still has two years left on his current deal with the Rangers, but he’s making a move, Dregs.
Dreger: He is. He’s going to CAA hockey. And his primary representative there will be Pat Brisson, who, as we know, is accustomed to making deals both in getting contracts signed, but ultimately making deals that lead to trades. And man, there was a lot of speculation around Trocheck and the New York Rangers leading up to the trade deadline.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were among the teams, Gino, with interest in Trocheck. I believe that the Maple Leafs are still interested in the veteran centre. So maybe Trocheck has simply had enough of the speculation and he, too, is ready for a change. So he makes the agent adjustment here, going with Brisson and CAA hockey. And now my antenna is up because Vinny Trocek’s name moves up the ladder of the list of players who are not only potentially play, but more likely to get traded.
