With slightly more than 48 hours to go until the clubs begin selecting 18 year old prospects on the floor of the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, the word that could be most associated with the rumors and statements about the draft and the possible availability of players via trade is “disinformation”.
There have been scenarios floated about nearly every team with a top five pick trading up or down, that presumptive top pick Nail Yakupov could slip to third or fourth, or mock drafts predicting the Leafs will draft Moose Jaw defenseman Morgan Rielly or the enigmatic Russian Mikhail Grigorenko with the fifth pick.
At this point, no one knows what to believe anymore.
The focus of the Maple Leafs talking points the last 24 hours has been directed on goaltending, as the re-signing of Josh Harding in Minnesota and Tampa’s acquisition of Anders Lindback has narrowed the field of options open to GM Brian Burke.
Darren Dreger reported on TSN Radio this morning that it is wholly possible that Toronto would shift focus from adding a goaltender to upgrading their top six with names like Bobby Ryan, Jordan Staal and Rick Nash floating out there.
ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun indicated that Toronto remains interested in adding a veteran netminder, but that Burke will not overpay for one as other clubs try to raise the asking price based on the pressure or perceived desperation to make an impact move.
Failing a deal that makes sense for his club, Burke is prepared to go into the season with James Reimer and Ben Scrivens.
"We are prepared to go forward on that basis," Burke said. "If we can upgrade at the goaltending position, and at a reasonable price, we’ll do it. But are prepared [to go with Reimer-Scrivens]. I believe in James Reimer. He’s young, he’s athletic, I believe in this kid. If we have to start like that, we will."
Burke declined to talk about specific goalie targets, but it’s clear through conversations I’ve had with other league sources that the Leafs have interest in (Roberto)Luongo, although as of Wednesday morning, I don’t believe there had been any meaningful discussions between Toronto and Vancouver. I don’t think the Leafs would be willing to move a high-level asset to Vancouver in exchange. My sense is that Toronto will keep tabs on the Luongo situation, but is not in desperation mode whatsoever to get something done. Not with 10 years left on Luongo’s contract. If it’s a deal that makes sense, I think the Leafs will do it. But they won’t overpay.
While buying that Toronto will focus on obtaining a top flight forward in the next couple weeks, the comments from Burke stating that he is comfortable going into the season with Reimer and Scrivens is directly contradictory to statements made by Senior VP Dave Nonis last month that it was unlikely that the club would repeat the mistake of going another season with two relatively inexperienced goalies.
The key for Toronto is not to have to give up tangible assets necessary to obtain a top forward like Staal or Ryan in a deal for a Luongo or Tim Thomas, who have such hefty salary cap hits. If the perception continues that the Leafs are desperately seeking to upgrade in net, then Mike Gillis or Peter Chiarelli could try to hold Toronto hostage in hopes of getting something more than just cap relief out of the Leafs.
If Toronto ends up having to move anything more than a future non-1st round pick for goaltending help, then they will have paid too much.
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