The Maple Leafs have informed the Detroit Red Wings that the third round draft pick compensation for head coach Mike Babcock will be deferred to either the 2016 or 2017 NHL Draft, according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.
The round of the compensatory draft pick was agreed to prior to Toronto, Buffalo and other interested teams being given permission to speak Babcock, but part of the agreement was the option to surrender the pick for the upcoming draft in Sunrise, FL, the 2016 Draft in Buffalo, NY or in 2017.
Toronto does not have a second round pick in 2015 due to the deal two years ago for goaltender Jonathan Bernier, but could choose to surrender their third in 2016, when they have an extra second rounder(obtained in the deal with Pittsburgh for forward Daniel Winnik.
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Many questions are popping up with just over two weeks to go before the NHL Draft in Florida, especially involving the top of the first round after Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel are selected by the Oilers and Sabres. Time to answer a few from my followers on Twitter.
@MikeInBuffalo If you had to go out on a limb, where do you think Kessel gets traded to, and for whom?
— Paul lummis (@Lummis83) June 8, 2015A – Right now it is purely guesswork, but the two teams that are the best fit for Kessel are the Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers.
Nashville is moving towards being a more offensive club under Peter Laviolettte, but does not have the firepower to make that transition. GM David Poile has a history with Kessel through his affiliation with USA Hockey and the Preds have the right combination of prospects and salary cap room to accommodate the speedy winger’s $8 Million salary.
Florida has strong young centers in Aleksander Barkov and Nick Bjugstad, but fell short of making the playoffs last season because of a lack of goal scoring. The clock is ticking on the Panthers with veteran goalie Roberto Luongo still a difference maker between the pipes and GM Dale Tallon has never been shy to make a big deal.
@MikeInBuffalo now that Babcock is the coach do you think phaneuf stays around for another year
— Christian (@leafsfan89) June 8, 2015A – The hiring of Babcock is not going to change the direction that Leafs Team President Brendan Shanahan has determined they have to go in. That means a rebuild lasting three or four years and Phaneuf will be 33 or 34 when Toronto is ready to contend. There are no guarantees that the Leafs team captain will be moved, it all depends on there being interest and teams willing to offer what Toronto believes Phaneuf is worth.
After Cody Franson, Andrej Sekera and Mike Green, the free agent defensive market is extremely thin this summer and it got more so last week with Jeff Petry re-upping with Montreal.
@MikeInBuffalo Do you think Mark Hunter will end up getting the job as GM?
— Jordan MacKenzie (@jordanmack66) June 8, 2015A – Count me in the minority that thinks Hunter will not be named GM. Indications are that Shanahan wants Hunter to concentrate more on the scouting and talent evaluation aspect of his current responsibilities as Director of Player Personnel and wants to add someone with NHL experience.
In spite of Kings GM Dean Lombardi’s statement last week regarding VP of Hockey Operations Mike Futa staying in Los Angeles, the book cannot be closed on the possibility of the Toronto native having interest in the Leafs GM job until early July.
Toronto has interest in adding Kelly McCrimmon to the fold and has reportedly given the Brandon Wheat Kings Owner/GM/Coach until later this week to decide whether he wants to join the Leafs hierarchy. If he does, it is possible that the current structure with Hunter, McCrimmon, Kyle Dubas, Brandon Pridham and Jim Paliafito as a management team under Shanahan could remain into next season.
@MikeInBuffalo Any idea on what the TML replied to teams on what they are asking for Kessel? & any more chat on CAR 5th pick?
— Greg Smith (@GSmith2011) June 8, 2015A – Serious talks regarding Kessel are likely not to take place until the GM Meetings in Las Vegas that occur the week of the NHL Draft, until then it will likely be a feeling out process of what Toronto would want for the 27-year-old winger.
As I wrote in my Sunday column, the asking price is likely to be a young NHL player, a top prospect and a 1st round pick, with the Leafs possibly having to take back a bad contract.
@MikeInBuffalo Any players/prospect the Leafs are high on with their 24th overall pick?
— Michael Grosso (@RumorBreak) June 8, 2015A – The Leafs are putting an emphasis on skill and speed in this draft and there could be a few players at #24 with plenty of both. Smallish forwards like Travis Konecny and Nick Merkley will likely be gone before then, but Swift Current’s Jake Debrusk or Charlottetown’s Daniel Sprong could still be there.
@MikeInBuffalo Has Biggs developed into a serviceable nhl prospect? Do you foresee him as part of the shanaplan, a trade candidate, or bust?
— Hockey Rurals (@hockeyrurals) June 8, 2015A - Tyler Biggs is not a legitimate NHL prospect right now and may never be. The Leafs 2011 first rounder scored only two goals in 47 games with the AHL Marlies and suffered an Achilles injury late in the season. With one year left on his entry-level deal, the rugged forward may get a second chance under new head coach Sheldon Keefe, but it is possible that the 22-year-old could be included in one of the Leafs many expected deals this summer.
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