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The Toronto Maple Leafs have been mentioned in connection with a number of names as July 1 approaches, but one wonders whether their inclusion in chatter about adding or trading for veteran forwards is simply attract attention or a reflection of genuine interest.
Pierre McGuire indicated on TSN 1050 radio Wednesday morning that he has heard the name of Colorado’s Matt Duchene in connection with Toronto.
Duchene has another two years left at $6 Million, which would fit in Toronto’s short-term window to spend before they have to pay Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner’s new deals.
Hockey insider
Bob McKenzie says that Leafs head coach Mike Babcock loves 37-year-old UFA Patrick Marleau, who is reportedly looking for a three-year deal and Toronto is also rumored to be kicking the tires on center Joe Thornton, who is looking for a multi-year contract.
A trade for Duchene would likely involve a package equal to what the Leafs offered the New York Islanders for defenseman Travis Hamonic, which would make it tough for Toronto to acquire a top-four defenseman anywhere other than free agency.
Marleau and Thornton both made in excess of $6 Million last season and if either or both signed with Toronto for close to that amount, it is likely that the Leafs would have to move James van Riemsdyk and/or Tyler Bozak to make room.
The Leafs have apparently shown little interest in pursuing free agent center Brian Boyle and may be looking for younger, more inexpensive options to play on the fourth line.
Speedy forward Jordan Weal spoke to Toronto this week, according to
TSN’s Darren Dreger, but the 25-year-old played primarily on the wing for Philadelphia, where he scored eight goals in 23 games last season.
The price of poker continues to go up on the defensive market, as the New York Rangers re-signed blueliner Brendan Smith to a four-year, $17.4 Million contract extension on Wednesday.
The Toronto native was not on the Leafs radar (Smith and Babcock were not exactly chummy during their days in Detroit), but with his and Kris Russell’s new deal in Edmonton (four years, $16 Million), it will get increasingly expensive to sign a free agent blueliner if GM Lou Lamoriello is unable to pull off a trade.
While trades for Sami Vatanen, Marco Scandella, Mathew Dumba, Jason Demers and Chris Tanev remain a possibility, Plan ‘B’ options such as Michael Stone, Trevor Daley, Cody Franson and Dan Girardi may be more costly than expected.
Toronto does not appear to be in the running for the two top defensive free agents in Kevin Shattenkirk and Karl Alzner. Shattenkirk is drawing interest from New York, New Jersey, Boston and Tampa Bay, while Alzner has been contacted by at least a dozen teams (including Chicago and Montreal) and will likely get over $5 Million per season on a long-term deal.
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