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Kadri Trade Rumors (Again) / Leafs' Ross gets cut by Canada's WJC Squad |
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In the category of the rumor that will not go away, Lyle Richardson of the Hockey News cited a recent Bruce Garrioch column in the Ottawa Sun that speculated about a potential Nazem Kadri for Derick Brassard trade and added a few interesting tidbits to the rumors that have been circulating the last couple weeks:
Garrioch reported sources saying Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson was spotted at a recent Toronto Marlies (Leafs American League farm team) game. Given Brassard's $3.2 million per season cap hit, Garrioch feels the Jackets cannot afford to keep the 24-year-old buried on their fourth line or in the press box for much longer.
CBC's Elliotte Friedman reported he “got the sense” center Nazem Kadri, the Leafs first round pick in 2009, was being “scouted hard” and suggested Kadri was Burke's trade chip.
Friedman didn't specify which teams are scouting Kadri, but the Blue Jackets are likely among them.
If Burke were to swap Kadri for Brassard, he'd have to free up sufficient cap space first.
Kadri is in the second season of his three-year entry level deal, which pays him a base salary of $900,000 at the NHL level, with performance bonuses that push his cap hit to $1.72 million.
The Leafs currently have some cap relief with defenseman Mike Komisarek ($4.5 million), center Matthew Lombardi ($3.5 million) and winger Mike Brown ($736,000) on the injured reserve, but would have to clear sufficient cap space when those three return to action.
The interest in trading Brassard is understandable from the Blue Jackets point of view, because his development has slowed to a crawl and he has two more years remaining at $3.2 Million per season. The reason to be skeptical is that the 24 year old is a notoriously soft player and the last thing Toronto needs is another top six forward who will get pushed around.
Kadri is only 20 years old and is progressing in the AHL, so he is perfectly positioned to be part of a big trade as the attractive young player with potential. Dealing him one for one for Brassard does not significantly upgrade the Leafs this season, whereas putting him as part of a larger package for a star player like Zach Parise, Eric Staal or Rick Nash who might become available as the deadline approaches would make more sense. Burke and Co. are looking to make an impact move and this rumored deal is not it.
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Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Brad Ross was cut from Team Canada’s squad for the upcoming World Junior Tournament this morning.
The 19 year old Ross was the Leafs 2nd round selection(43rd overall) in 2010 and is having a very good season with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL with 20 goals and 18 assists in 33 games.
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