The Toronto Maple Leafs showed more resolve and energy against the Central Division leading Nashville Predators on Tuesday, but the improved effort did not result in a different outcome as the club’s previous nine outings.
Toronto rallied from an early two-goal deficit to lead 3-2 in the third period after Nazem Kadri and Mike Santorelli scored 37 seconds apart, but the hometown Preds(who have lost only two games at home all season) responded with tallies from Mike Fisher and Colin Wilson to earn a 4-3 victory and extend Toronto’s losing streak to a franchise record 10 games.
The majority of the improved play came from players who are expected to be at the center of trade discussions over the next month and not from the Leafs core group, who have all but disappeared since the beginning of the club’s death spiral in mid-December.
Pending free agents Mike Santorelli, Daniel Winnik and Cody Franson combined for four points on the three Toronto goals and veteran Joffrey Lupul, whose name has also been bandied about in trade speculation, added two assists. Conversely, the top line of James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel hardly made a footprint, generating few scoring opportunities and registering only four shots on the night.
Toronto had a chance to tie the game late in the third, but Winnik hit the post and was then stymied by Preds goalie Carter Hutton, who dove and batted the puck away from the open goal.
Wow, what a save by Hutton on the Leafs! https://t.co/EzWOreiDLb
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 4, 2015Jonathan Bernier had what could be described as an eventful evening. After giving up a goal on a shorthanded breakaway to Seth Jones and on a power play point blast from Shea Weber in the first, the Leafs goalie settled down and blanked Nashville in the middle frame.
Late in the period, Bernier suffered a skate cut to the back of his left leg from his own right skate while thwarting Matt Cullen on a breakaway. James Reimer replaced Bernier in goal for the remainder of the middle frame and into the third, during which time Toronto took the lead.
After receiving 12 stitches to repair the laceration, Bernier returned and replaced Reimer almost four minutes into the third and promptly gave up the tying goal to Fisher and the eventual game winner to Wilson, but neither goal was the fault of the Leafs starter.
“It was his start, it was his game. He had 12 stitches but they said it was superficial and he had no problem going back in.… Interim coach Peter Horachek said of Bernier following the game. “He came back out ready to play, wanting to play….and so I felt that kind of care and character of him wanting to get back into the game was important.…
Reimer had little to do with the third period surge(four saves in 5:24) and the case for keeping him in the game is simply retrospective analysis about a team that has found many inventive ways to lose.
With Toronto out of the playoff race, one thing that the organization can determine in the final 30 games is whether Bernier is capable of being a legitimate #1 NHL goaltender prior to his contract being up at the end of this season.
It is clear from how Reimer has been used this season that he is considered the backup and that is how he will continue to be used until his departure at the end of his contract or via trade.
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Dave Nonis has not shifted into full sell mode yet, but reports on Tuesday indicate that the Maple Leafs GM has notified his managing brethren throughout the league to be prepared to make their offers for players on Toronto’s roster that they are interested in.
TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that Toronto could start making deals as soon as this week, nearly three weeks in advance of the March 2nd trade deadline. Veterans Cody Franson and Daniel Winnik are the most likely to move, based on the league wide need for top-four defensemen and forwards who can play special teams.
The Los Angeles Kings and Detroit Red Wings are known to have interest in Franson and another team that may also have interest is the Predators, who traded the blueliner to Toronto in 2011. Winnik has drawn inquiries from the Winnipeg Jets and Pittsburgh Penguins, who need help on special teams.
Speculation about Mike Santorelli continues to percolate, as ESPN’s Pierre Lebrun reports that the forward has drawn interest from his former team, the Vancouver Canucks. The 29-year-old Vancouver native has exactly the same offensive numbers (10 goals, 18 assists) that he posted last season before a season-ending injury and it is likely that the Leafs will move him to acquire future assets rather than signing the veteran to a long-term deal.
Another name that has popped up is center Tyler Bozak, who has another three seasons at a reasonable $4.2 Million price tag. Bozak’s offensive numbers have evaporated with the struggles of linemates Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk and most observers believe that the 28-year-old is better suited for a second/third line role than as a top line center.
The University of Denver product in the past has been linked to the Colorado Avalanche, who are looking to deal forward Ryan O’Reilly either at the deadline or this summer. O’Reilly has long been rumored to be coveted by the Leafs, but the former Lady Byng nominee has a $6 Million cap hit next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
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