In the six weeks leading up to the NHL Draft in Sunrise, FL, there will be undoubtedly be a great deal of speculation regarding the roster of the Toronto Maple Leafs, in particular the core group that includes Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul.
In his Sunday column, the Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons reports claims from an NHL executive that Dion Phaneuf is anxious to extricate himself from “that nut house in Toronto…, which is the second time since the trade deadline that a report has emerged regarding the Leafs team captain wanting out.
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported in April that Phaneuf was disappointed that the deal with the Detroit Red Wings fell through, presumably because the Wings did not want to include former first rounder Anthony Mantha in the deal, but comments regarding Mantha’s rookie season in Grand Rapids from Wings executive Jimmy Devellano may reflect a change in philosophy on the part of the Red Wings, who may revisit the idea of acquiring Phaneuf before or at the Draft.
Simmons also indicates that the Arizona Coyotes told Erie Otters center Dylan Strome’s representatives they wouldn’t pass on him when their selection came up, but that was before it was determined that they would select third overall.
Rumors are all over the board regarding who the Coyotes will take third. Most draft lists have Noah Hanifin the top rated player after Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel and Arizona might choose to select Boston College defenseman to replace Keith Yandle to be a top pairing presence with Oliver Ekman-Larsson. There are also reports that suggest the Coyotes and perhaps the Leafs prefer fleet footed forward Mitchell Marner,of the London Knights over Strome,
Barring a trade, this shell game is likely to continue until the Coyotes make their selection on the draft floor on Friday, June 26.
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Leafs Interest In SHL Scoring Leader
The NHL like most professional sports is a league of copycats and the impact of small, speedy forwards like Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau and Tampa’s Tyler Johnson has other clubs looking for players with skill and ignoring the physical aspect of their game.
American forward Steve Moses used a successful season with Jokerit in the KHL to get a one-year, $1 Million deal from the Nashville Predators and 28-year-old American center Derek Ryan could be the next.
Ryan spent four seasons with his hometown Spokane Chiefs of the WHL and another four years with the University of Alberta before heading to Austria for three seasons. Ryan led the SHL in scoring with 60 points and according to Elliotte Friedman’s 30 Thoughts column , the Leafs and Washington have expressed interest, but it might not be a move that would make sense for Toronto with their focus on developing youngsters. Mikkelson to Sweden
Brendan Mikkelson’s tenure in Toronto has ended after one season, as the Marlies defenseman has signed with Lulea HF of the Swedish Hockey League.
The Regina, Saskatchewan native who has made NHL stops in Anaheim, Calgary and Tampa Bay during his eight-year professional career scored nine goals and 14 assists in 60 games for Toronto’s AHL affiliate last season, but it was unlikely that the 27-year-old blueliner was going to be offered another contract. In what could be interpreted as the first sign of the new development policy under Brendan Shanahan and Assistant GM Kyle Dubas, experienced AHL veterans such as Mikkelson and Kevin Marshall will not be taking up spots on the Marlies roster going forward instead of 20-year-old Matt Finn, who played only 28 games in his first professional season.
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