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With one week to go before the March 2nd deadline, the mention of Maple Leafs other than forwards Daniel Winnik, David Booth, Olli Jokinen and defenseman Korbinian Holzer in trade rumors is conspicuous, as the four pending unrestricted free agents are the only names almost certain to be on the move.
While prominent members of the Leafs core group such as Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf are not expected to be moved until the summer, forwards Tyler Bozak, Joffrey Lupul, defensemen Stephane Robidas, Roman Polak and goaltender Jonathan Bernier have been mentioned as possible trade targets for playoff bound clubs.
Sportsnet FAN 590’s Andrew Walker reports that the Leafs are actively shopping Lupul and plan to move veteran winger in the next week, while RDS indicates that Montreal GM Marc Bergevin has interest in adding Polak to bolster the Canadiens blueline in the wake of injuries to veterans Alexei Emelin and Sergei Gonchar.
The 31-year-old Lupul has nine goals and 10 assists in 33 games this season and played over 17 minutes against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday after missing four games with a flare up of a knee problem.
Lupul can be an impact offensive player with his size and shooting ability, but his inability to stay healthy continues to plague his career, as he has missed nearly half of the 2014-15 schedule with hand and knee injuries.
Rumors earlier in the season had the St. Louis Blues eying the Fort Saskatchewan, AB native, but recent reports indicate that Lupul is drawing interest from the Habs, who has three more seasons making $5.25 Million. The Canadiens are a serious Stanley Cup contender if they can add a goal scorer to take the heat off goalie Carey Price, who has to be near perfect on most nights for the team to win.
The 28-year-old Polak has another year at an economical $2.75 Million, has playoff experience from his days in St. Louis and has attracted interest from a number of teams according to TSN’s Darren Dreger, but it is unclear whether the Leafs are truly shopping the blueliner or are getting offers that equal the return they are expecting.
RDS reported last week that Toronto was interested in young Habs forwards Michael Bournival and Christian Thomas in a perspective deal and 25-year-old Lars Eller is reportedly on the market.
Dreger also indicated on TSN 1050’s Leafs Breakfast on Monday that the Winnipeg Jets remain interested in Winnik(who registered a Gordie Howe hat trick on Saturday) and that the Leafs are looking for a 2nd round pick and a lower pick/prospect and have also expressed interest RFA Alex Burmistrov.
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Watch the latest edition of Leaf Buzz with myself and Rotowire senior writer Paul Bruno as we discuss the Leafs and what moves can be expected before the March 2nd trade deadline:
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