Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported via Twitter that negotiating perimeters between the Maple Leafs and representatives for team captain Dion Phaneuf would have the pending unrestricted free agent signing a contract extension for more than $7 Million per season.
The 28-year-old blueliner is in the last year of a six-year, $39 Million contract signed while a member of the Calgary Flames in 2008 and the high price tag was the main consideration in the Flames trading the Norris Trophy finalist to the Maple Leafs in January, 2010.
According to Kypreos, the Leafs are not willing to go the maximum eight years on a new deal, while Phaneuf will not accept a shorter deal.
The shortcomings in Phaneuf's game throughout his nearly four years in Toronto have shown that he did not merit being the eighth highest paid defenseman in the league, but with the amount indicated, Nashville's Shea Weber and Minnesota's Ryan Suter would be the only blueliners that earn more per season and Phaneuf would eclipse the likes of Drew Doughty, Zdeno Chara and Erik Karlsson.
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An interesting note from TSN insiders Darren Dreger and Bob McKenzie, stating that the Leafs were contacted by Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier before the Sunday night trade with the Islanders indicating that the veteran sniper was offered to Toronto.
The Sabres were able to garner pending UFA Matt Moulson, the Islanders 2014 first round pick and 2015 second round pick for the Vanek, whose contract is up at the end of the 2013-14 season. Dreger reports that based on the return they received from New York, the Leafs and other NHL clubs were not willing to pay that steep price.
Based on the Leafs cap situation, it would have been nearly impossible for Toronto to fit Vanek under the $64.3 Million salary cap, which could mean that any trade talk with the Leafs was done more to get chatter percolating about Vanek's availability in hockey circles.
The "For Sale" sign is clearly open for Buffalo from now till the March 5th trade deadline, which means that long time Leafs nemesis Ryan Miller, Moulson and team captain Steve Ott will all be on the move.
The 31-year-old Ott is also a pending UFA and could be an intriguing possibility for Toronto, as he could provide the crash and bang that has been missing since Leo Komarov departed for the KHL.
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The Leafs begin their three game Western road swing in Edmonton Tuesday with James Reimer getting his second straight start in goal. Reimer sparkled in a 4-1 victory against Pittsburgh on Saturday, making 37 saves and holding Toronto in the game until a three goal third period outburst.
The status of Joffrey Lupul is uncertain for tonight, as the winger skated with teammates in Edmonton on Monday, but still appeared to be favoring his bruised foot.
Defenseman John-Michael Liles was recalled from the AHL Toronto Marlies on Monday, but he will not suit up according to head coach Randy Carlyle.
The Oilers(3-8-2) will have center Sam Gagner back in the lineup after missing over a month with a broken jaw. Former Dallas Stars goalie Richard Bachman, who was recalled from Oklahoma City on Sunday and made 47 saves in a 2-1 shootout loss to Los Angeles, will be between the pipes for Edmonton.
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