Pending unrestricted free agent Dave Bolland made his feelings about where he wants to play next year and beyond perfectly clear.
"I want to be a Leaf till my career is done, I want to be here for awhile.… the Leafs center said to Sportsnet FAN 590’s Brady and Walker show Tuesday morning.
The Mimico, ON native turns 28 on June 5th was acquired from the Blackhawks for three draft picks last June entering the final year of a five-year, $16.875 Million contract and is looking for a long term deal from Toronto or another NHL team.
“You have options when you go to July 1st.… Bolland said. “You can shop around, it’s one of thoses thing you get when you’re 28.…
The two-time Stanley Cup winner appeared to be a good fit with the club last October, scoring six goals and four assists in October, but his season changed on November 2nd when he suffered a left ankle tendon laceration in a collision with Vancouver’s Zack Kassian.
Bolland missed over four months and rushed to get back into the lineup to help the Leafs in the midst of their March collapse, but was limited by the pain and lack of mobility, scoring just two goals in eight games before shutting it down for the season.
“I came back a little bit too soon.… Bolland said. “I wanted to get back on the ice and help my team.…
Leafs Team President Brendan Shanahan indicated to the Toronto Sun’s Mike Zeisberger earlier in the month that he would like to bring Bolland back for his savvy and leadership abilities.
“I’d like to get him signed,he’s the type of player I like, the type of player we need.… Shanahan said “This is a guy we want to have back. Dave (Nonis) knows I want him back. But any time you are a UFA, there are other factors involved.…
“I hope so. The fans and everyone around were great to me.… Bolland said. “The management and the team down was great and I loved it here and hopefully we can get something done and I can stay here and build something here towards what I did in Chicago.…
Concerns over term and salary are amplified with uncertainty of complete recovery from the ankle injury. The expectation is that rehabilitation and strengthening over the summer will get Bolland back to being a significant contributor for 2014-15, but the reported $5 Million salary demand will be a major impediment in whether he is back next season. *******
The Toronto Marlies return to the friendly confines of Ricoh Coliseum on Wednesday with the Calder Cup Western Conference Final tied at 1-1 after a 6-3 loss to the Texas Stars at Cedar Park Center on Monday.
The loss was the first for Toronto in the postseason and marked the first time that they trailed in a game during the 2014 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Brett Ritchie and Scott Glennie scored twice, Chris Mueller and Travis Morin scored singles for the Stars, who eclipsed the 50 shot mark for the second straight game. Jerry D’Amigo, Josh Leivo and Peter Holland scored for Toronto and Drew MacIntrye made 46 saves in the defeat.
Toronto scored the opening goal less than five minutes into the first, as D’Amigo fired a wrister past Texas goalie Cristopher Nilstorp, but Texas tied the game on a Ritchie power play marker late in the period.
The Marlies displayed a remarkable lack of discipline in the game, giving the Stars seven chances with the power play, but were saved by their penalty killing, who allowed only one goal.
The two teams exchanged five goals in a wild, wide open middle frame, with Texas holding a 4-3 lead and put the game away late in the third on Glennie’s second goal during a wild scramble in front of MacIntyre.
“We gave up in my mind three free goals. We’ve got to be smarter, we’ve got to be tighter.… Marlies coach Steve Spott said following the game. “The margin of error this time of year really is slim and when you give a team like that (seven) power plays and opportunities to score with some weak coverages, that’s usually the result.…
Game Three is Wednesday at 7pm and can be seen on Rogers TV.
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