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The Toronto Maple Leafs hope to bounce back from a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, but as the days click off towards the NHL Trade Deadline, every little snippet of information has to be interpreted as a sign of a potential trade.
As was reported by TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun, Leafs Assistant GM Laurence Gilman was spotted scouting the Canucks at Madison Square Garden and the UBS Arena during the week, giving more life to rumors that Toronto is interested in forward J.T. Miller and other players on the Vancouver roster.
Miller, 28, is coming off a career-high 72 point season (27 goals, 45 assists) in 2019-20 and 46 points (15 goals, 31 assists) in 53 games last season, and is averaging more than a point-per-game (21 goals, 40 assists) in 54 games this season, but there continue to be rumors that Canucks Team President Jim Rutherford may trade him if they cannot get him signed to an extension before March 21.
The former Rangers first-round pick would be a significant upgrade that might provide a needed spark to the second line centered by John Tavares, but interest in Miller could be brisk, the expected cost will be expensive, and his $5.25 million salary may pose problems for GM Kyle Dubas and cap guru Brandon Pridham.
While there has also been some speculation regarding potential interest in other forwards like Columbus’s Max Domi, Dubas indicated on Friday that unless the news regarding the health status of Jake Muzzin is bad, the club has the cap room for one move and that addition would likely be on defense. While former Leaf first-rounder Luke Schenn may be an economical option that Dubas is targeting (signed through next season at $850,000 and playing in excess of 17 minutes per night for Vancouver), Toronto is likely targeting one of the numerous rentals on the trade market, someone like Ben Chiarot, Josh Manson, Hampus Lindholm or Rasmus Ristolainen that will cost them at least a first-round pick and a prospect.
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The Leafs practiced after a day off in preparation for the Canucks on Saturday and head coach Sheldon Keefe is dealing with a lot of question marks due to the illness making its way through the locker room and players uncertain status due to injury.
Rasmus Sandin did not skate due to not feeling well, and the club recalled defenseman Mac Hollowell from the AHL, but it is unlikely that 23-year-old will play on Saturday. Ondrej Kase took part in practice and will likely be a game-time decision. The most intriguing change was youngster Nick Robertson skating with Tavares and William Nylander, but it is uncertain whether that will be a line against the Canucks.
“With Nick, we've been trying to get a sense of kind of where he's at in his development and what he may be able to provide. Obviously we're familiar with him, given that he's played for us in the past, but we just want to kind of see where he's coming off of his injury." Keefe said. "That's really what this recall has been about. certainly from my perspective, kind of spot him in and give him an opportunity. I think he's done well with the time he's gotten and today in practice, I just want to get him some reps with those guys and that line and playing or even practicing higher up in the lineup."
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