East Notes: Maple Leafs, Capitals, Bernier

With both Morgan Reilly and Jake Muzzin out, teams have been calling Toronto to discuss any blueliners that they have available, reports TSN’s Bob McKenzie in the latest Insider Trading (video link).  However, for the time being, it appears that Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas is content to get to their bye week and All-Star break before assessing things.  It’s possible that Muzzin could be ready to go by after the break which would certainly lessen the urgency to make a move.  If not, finding the right fit could be tricky given their cap situation unless they’re willing to part with one of their established younger forwards.

Meanwhile, McKenzie notes that the team has had discussions with Muzzin’s camp about an extension though he classified it as at the very preliminary stage.  The 30-year-old is in the final year of his deal that carries a $4MM cap hit.  The Maple Leafs only have a handful of regulars on the back end under contract for next season (basically only Reilly and Justin Holl) but with the amount that they have committed up front, it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to keep both him and pending UFA Tyson Barrie.

More from the Eastern Conference:

• With Nicklas Backstrom now signed and talks for Braden Holtby on hold, the focus for Washington will likely shift to the trade deadline. GM Brian MacLellan told NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti (Twitter link) that they’ll likely be focusing on depth additions.  While the Capitals have freed up some cap room over the past couple of months, it’s still not enough to add an impact player, especially if they opt to try to add more than one player to give them some injury insurance.
• Red Wings goaltender Jonathan Bernier will be out through at least the All-Star Game due to an undisclosed injury, notes Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News. With Jimmy Howard struggling mightily this season, Bernier has been called on as Detroit’s starter more and more in recent weeks and has held his own, relatively speaking, with a 2.99 GAA and a .904 SV% in 28 games.