The Toronto Maple Leafs don’t have to, but if the team wants to move on from defenseman Nikita Zaitsev, it might be beneficial to trade him before July 1 when his 10-team no-trade clause kicks in. While Zaitsev has requested a trade as well, making it easier for Toronto to unload the five years remaining on his contract at $4.5MM, there are likely to be several teams interested in acquiring the 27-year-old.
In fact, The Athletic’s James Mirtle (subscription required) looks into what teams would be the most likely to acquire the blueliner and the Edmonton Oilers find themselves at the top of the list. Zaitsev could be paired with one of Toronto’s forwards, either Connor Brown, Kasperi Kapanen or Andreas Johnsson to acquire either Matt Benning or even Adam Larsson in the right deal.
The Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks round out the top three teams who would make the best bets, but there are quiet a few other candidates as well.
- Boston Globe’s Nick Kelly writes that Boston Bruins forward Marcus Johansson was non-committal Friday when asked about whether he wanted to return to Boston next season. An unrestricted free agent and a key contributor throughout the playoffs (four goals and 11 points in 22 games), the 28-year-old may have priced his way out of Boston. However, Johansson said he did enjoy his time with the Bruins and will speak to them first before looking at his other options.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun writes that even though the Ottawa Sentators locked up backup goaltender Anders Nilsson to a tw0-year, $5.2MM extension which many thought would be the end for Mike Condon. The 29-year-old, who lost the backup job early last season, still has one year remaining on his contract at $2.4MM and seemed like a prime buyout candidate. However, general manager Pierre Dorion said the team will not buy him out and intend to bring him in to camp in the fall before determining what to do with him. Condon made just two appearances, allowing eight goals and had a .800 save percentage. He was sent to Belleville of the AHL for one game before he opted to sit out the rest of the year with hip inflammation. He hopes to be healthy for training camp.
- Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman notes that he spoke recently to Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon, who told him that he expects goaltender Roberto Luongo to make a decision about his future soon, in fact, before the draft next Friday. The team needs an idea on whether Luongo intends to come back next year. Florida is expected to sign one of the top goaltenders on the market with Sergei Bobrovsky on the top of their list. However, if Luongo opt to return (he still has three years remaining at $4.53MM AAV), the team will have to find a way to move out James Reimer.
Zaitsev and Johansson for Larson any day of the week, from a leafs perspective don’t quite know why Edmonton does it other then getting a then overpriced johansson
Wrong Andreas!!! Johansson last played in the NHL in 2003-04!!! Johnsson is the correct one! Besides, EDM doesn’t need a 46-year-old Center, even if he was only a minus 8 in his career…
the leafs dont have a johansson
Unless he is overpaid for, Larsson is not available. Edmonton has to gain something besides games played for paying Hall for Larsson. And Larsson has a fair fan following from Edmonton fans. Larsson is close to untouchable unless he returns a Hall like return ATM. At deadline however with only 1 year left on his deal it may change. For the time being Larsson, Klefbom, and Nurse are untouchable unless overpaid for.
If being dealt, Edmonton needs to acquire the best player in the deal, not send the best player in the deal for bit parts. Johnsson is a bit player with upside as is Zaitsev. Neither are useless but neither improve Edmonton and their playoff chances immediately. Which is what they need to do.
If Toronto wants Larsson, expect them to have to send something they dont want to and possibly more. Toronto is in cap hell. Larsson is a cheap top 2 defenseman (maybe a 3 if you dont like his limited offensive showing the past 3 years) with an extra year left, coming off a down year so they’d be “selling low.” Expect Edmonton to retain him unless blown away. And both teams are limited via cap, so dont expect much between them.
I’d like to see a Zaitsev & Johnsson deal for Kassian and Puljarvi. I think Holland may want to give Puljarvi another chance with a new coach but I’d be asking since his value is down. Both of these players bring size to Leafs and Edmonton gets another D man and someone who can skate with McDavid.
Well, if Holland’s goal is to be as despised by the fans as Chiarelli was, your suggested trade would certainly accomplish that! Keeping Kassian makes it easier to trade Lucic, and Puljujarvi still has too much potential to toss away just yet – Holland is more likely to let him play long enough to increase his value before considering a trade.
Of course, if the Leafs offer Zaitsev and Kapanen for Benning… Holland should grab it before Dubas sobers up!
Wouldn’t shock me if Dubas agreed to your suggestion. Though it does look like Puljujarvi has forced the Oilers hands just like Zaitsev has done with the Leafs. Should be an interesting couple of months.
Yeah, JP seems to have thrown down a gauntlet. Oddly enough, that might make it easier to trade Lucic, but likely means the Oilers would prefer it not be a Pacific Division team… if JP can turn it around, they won’t want to face him eight times a year, and again in the first two playoff rounds.
Wonder if Dubas would be willing to trade Zaitsev and Kapanen for Puljujarvi and Lucic (with Oilers retaining part of his contract)?