It’s time to check my Twitter account and field some questions from the members of Leafs Nation regarding their team and players they might be interested in acquiring before April 3rd.
Q: @WhyGoneGin asks - How interested would the leafs be in Brenden Morrow if Dallas becomes a seller? If so, would J.M Liles for Morrow be plausible?
A - The 34 year old Morrow is in his 13th season and in the last year of a contract paying him $4.1 Million. His numbers have declined steadily after putting up a career best 33 goals in 2010-11 and wear and tear have begun to take their toll. The Stars have a lot of term and salary tied up on the blueline with Alex Goligoski, Stephane Robidas and Trevor Daley, as well as recently trading for Erik Cole and his $4.5 Million price tag. It is doubtful that they would want to take Liles nearly $4 Million salary for another three seasons.
Q: @matt_tips asks Interesting article about (Ryane)Clowe….haven't the Leafs tried to snag this guy before and he's said no?? Thought he has a NTC.
A – There have been many rumors involving Clowe to Toronto in the past, mostly because he played his first three pro seasons under former Leaf coach Ron Wilson, but the Sharks wanted to hold onto him because he plays a rough and tumble style and unlike most of their team, he has shown up in the playoffs. This season is different, as he has no goals and eight assists in 22 games and has piled up 72 penalty minutes and a two game suspension for leaving the bench.
Unlike Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Dan Boyle and others on the Sharks, Clowe does not have a no trade or no move clause and could be an interesting acquisition at the deadline and in need of a change of scenery.
Q :@Mendler09 asks - Why isn’t Gardiner back up with the main club yet? Gunnarsson has looked terrible IMO so far...Possibly showcasing him?
A : The question of why Jake Gardiner is not up with the Leafs continues to be bandied about by the insiders and columnists. Originally the 22 year old defenseman was demoted because he was not 100% recovered from the concussion he suffered in December and was not in top physical condition, but that has been rectified with over a month of games in the AHL.
Gardiner is ready to return but the Leafs cannot send down Mike Kostka without exposing him to waivers and cannot demote Mike Komisarek because of his no movement clause.
Gardiner deserves to be up with the Leafs and playing, while based on his horrid play last week, the recently signed Korbinian Holzer should be demoted.
What might be at work here is an evaluation of whether Kostka, Mark Fraser or Holzer can handle the responsibilities of playing every night, before the Leafs trade a Carl Gunnarsson, Komisarek, John-Michael Liles or Cody Franson in a deal. Leafs GM Dave Nonis and Coach Randy Carlyle likely know what they have in Gardiner, but still may have doubts about the others.
Q : @tamtruong79 asks - Could the Red Wings use Liles? Hurricanes could use Komisarek? Do you think Nonis can move these two before trade deadline?
A: Yes…there are teams out there that could use veteran defensemen like Liles and Komisarek, but moving them might entail the Leafs retaining a part of their salary for the remaining term and that may be an impediment in a deal being consummated.
Let’s say for example the Canes want Komisarek, but Carolina GM Jim Rutherford does not want to pay all of the $3.5 Million salary he is due next season. He might suggest to the Leafs that they retain $1 Million for him to take him off their hands, but Toronto from a cap standpoint would be better off to not deal him and instead use one of their two compliance buyouts so that they do not have to retain any salary going forward.
Q: @Cpaterson72 asks – (Is there a) chance Kessel gets moved before the trade deadline? It's apparent he's not going to be the franchise player Burke envisioned.
A: I continue to believe that if Kessel were traded, it is more likely to happen at the draft than before the deadline. The upheaval caused by a trade would send shockwaves through the club and Kessel’s limited no-trade clause does not kick in until the last year of his deal officially begins in July. If the Leafs are in the running for Ducks winger Corey Perry after the season and somehow manage to sign him, the next move made by Nonis will be to trade Kessel to the highest bidder before he tests the market in July 2014 the same way Perry will do next summer.
Q : @1967beleaf asks - Steckel, Bozak, and MacArthur are UFA's next year. Who do you think will be traded and who will be resigned?
A : Complete guesswork, not making any Notsradamus-like predictions:
Steckel will be allowed to test free agency.
MacArthur will be signed to a three year contract extension.
Bozak gets traded before April 3rd.
Thanks for your questions.
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