In today’s rumor rundown, there is news on the Maple Leafs and their talks with defenseman Jake Gardiner, how they view the rental market prior to the trade deadline while the Vegas Golden Knights see their improvements coming from within. Plus, what’s the latest on Andre Burakovksy?
The Maple Leafs Have Told Gardiner to Hang Tight
Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun is reporting the Toronto Maple Leafs, namely, GM Kyle Dubas has spoken with pending unrestricted free agent Jake Gardiner about a contract but to hold tight as the team has other pressing matters to attend to first.
Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner has improved his game considerably since the 2015/16 season (Photo by Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Dubas did admit that he’ll look to improve the blueline by the trade deadline because they’d like to move the puck out of the zone better and Gardiner is certainly part of that equation moving forward. “We’re having discussions with Jake, he is a key part,” Dubas said. But he also added, “We have some other matters we have to tend to, and that has been communicated to Jake. We would like him to be here, it’s not as simple as it sounds.”
Dubas noted what everyone already knows about the Maple Leafs which is that the pie is only so big and they will have challenges trying to divvy it up. That could leave Gardiner on the outs if he’s looking to score big in free agency.
Koshan writes:
Gardiner, in the final year of a five-year pact that carries an average annual value of US$4,050,000, is headed for unrestricted free agency next summer and perhaps for the kind of raise that the Leafs probably can’t afford. Don’t hold your breath.
source – ‘Maple Leafs GM Dubas has no fear of offer sheets for Matthews and Marner’ – Terry Koshan – Toronto Sun – 12/17/2018
Related: NHL Rumors: Panarin, Hakstol, the Roster Freeze, More
Leafs Not Interested in Rental Market
Despite Dubas saying he will look to improve his blue line, he also conducted an interview with Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic in which he noted the Maple Leafs would not be looking to the rental market as a way to boost the success of the organization this season.
TORONTO, ON-Toronto-DUBAS.The Maple Leafs announced today the promotion of Kyle Dubas to General Manager. Brendan Shanahan was on hand for the announcement… (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Dubas said during the interview:
I don’t really look and see many pure rentals that really change the dynamic of our group. So anything that we’d be looking at would be players that probably have some term. That’s why it’s important for us to continue to work on those agreements with Auston and Mitch so we can have some cost certainty with them, so that we can look to improve our team this season and beyond.
source – ‘LeBrun: Q&A with Kyle Dubas on the Nylander negotiations, deals for Matthews and Marner and offer sheets’ – Pierre LeBrun – The Athletic – 12/18/2018
This is quite interesting considering the Maple Leafs are widely viewed as a team that could benefit the most by adding a rental defenseman or depth forward and letting them leave at the end of the season after the team makes their run. It perhaps hints that Dubas expects to have deals in place with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner prior to the trade deadline.
Related: NHL Rumors: Burakovsky, Hakstol, Tarasenko, More
Golden Knights Won’t Be Active Before Trade Freeze
Other teams may try to work out deals prior to the December 19, 2018 roster freeze but not the Golden Knights who said during an interview with David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, that they will look internally to propel them forward. GM George McPhee indicated that they’re not actively pursuing deals.
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith and center Jonathan Marchessault celebrate after defenseman Deryk Engelland (AP Photo/John Locher)
Schoen writes:
The Knights are 11-3-1 since Schmidt’s return on Nov. 18 and are as close to full strength as they’ve been all season. That likely will discourage McPhee from looking for upgrades prior to the NHL’s holiday roster freeze, which runs from 11:59 p.m. Wednesday through Dec. 27.
source – ‘GM George McPhee sees signs Golden Knights have turned corner- – David Schoen – Las Vegas Review Journal – 12/16/2018
McPhee said, “We like our team as is. When we’re healthy, we’re a good team. So, it’s not as if we’re actively looking for anything. We’d like to have all of our growth come internally.” He noted specifically players like Alex Tuch or Oscar Lindberg or some of their young defensemen stepping forward.
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A Burkovsky Trade Imminent?
There’s certainly truth to the rumors that Andre Burakovksy — who will be a healthy scratch in his fourth consecutive game tonight — is trade bait out of Washington. Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post writes the Capitals have received calls from teams asking about his availability after Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reported on the weekend that the Vancouver Canucks were one of the teams.
Khurshudyan writes:
A spike in trade rumors is natural when a young, skilled forward is in this situation, potentially in need of a change of scenery. But while the Capitals are listening to offers for Burakovsky, they’re not in a rush to part with him and not actively looking to deal him. They’re not closed off to the idea, either, especially if there’s something worthwhile in return.
source – ‘NHL teams are calling about Andre Burakovsky. Would the Caps pull the trigger and trade him?’ – The Washington Post – Isabelle Khurshudyan – 12/17/2018
