For the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter
The Toronto Maple Leafs begin a three-game road swing through Western Canada against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. The club has lost three of their last four games and head coach Mike Babcock once again will resort to line juggling in hopes of finding a more consistent effort.
“Any time you spend time in the offensive zone, you don’t have to worry about them rolling around in your zone.” Babcock said on Monday. “(Calgary) can really transition the puck, they are good on the rush and have an active D, so it’s going to be important for us to play well.”
The rotation at top line right wing continues for the Leafs, as Connor Brown practiced on Monday and took the morning skate with Zach Hyman and Auston Matthews.
Brown started on the fourth line with Dominic Moore and Matt Martin against Washington on Saturday, but replaced William Nylander on the top line in the third period and sparked the Leafs two-goal rally.
This is not new territory for Nylander, who was demoted to the fourth line numerous times early last season mostly for defensive issues. The 21-year-old Calgary native started the season with three goals in eight games, but has slumped since with just one goal in the last 17 games.
Roman Polak will remain in the lineup on Tuesday after a solid performance on Saturday, in which he played nearly 15 minutes partnered with rookie Andreas Borgman and was utilized on the penalty kill.
The Flames (13-9-1) return to the Saddledome after a two-week road trip in which they went 3-2-1 and will start Mike Smith in goal (11-7-1, 2.64 GAA, .922 Save %), while the Leafs will go back to Frederik Andersen (13-7-1, 2.79 GAA, .918 Save %) for his league-leading 22nd start.
*******
Whenever a free agent defenseman is rumored to be on the market, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be one the teams speculated as a potential trade destination.
That is the case with two-time Stanley Cup winner Ian Cole, who has been a healthy scratch the last three games for the Pittsburgh Penguins and is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
In spite of protestations from Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan on Tuesday that Cole is still a valued part of the organization, the injury to goaltender Matt Murray against Philadelphia on Monday may force GM Jim Rutherford to deal for help in net. Murray is expected to be out from two to four weeks and the Pens currently have rookie Tristian Jarry and minor leaguer Casey DeSmith
TSN’s Darren Dreger indicates that the Pens would only deal Cole if they get a good return for him.
Cole took on a big role during the Penguins Cup run last season with Pittsburgh’s defense ravaged by injuries and would add an experienced hand to the Leafs blueline in the short term.
There had been speculation earlier this year that Pittsburgh may be interested in Tyler Bozak to replace the departed Nick Bonino up the middle, but the Penguins acquired Riley Sheahan from Detroit last month and it is questionable whether the Leafs are willing to part with Bozak, since it would weaken them at center or force Babcock to move Patrick Marleau up the middle.
The Leafs could be in a position to help the Penguins out in goal, as both backup Curtis McElhinney and Marlies goalie Calvin Pickard have NHL experience and could split duties with Jarry until Murray returns, but it would likely take more than them to acquire Cole.
*******
Timothy Liljegren wanted to play for Sweden at the 2017 World Junior Championships, but was not selected for the tournament because he was too ill.
"(The World Juniors were) a big goal for me, I wanted to be there last year but mono stopped me." Liljegren said after being selected by the Leafs at the NHL Draft in Chicago.
In spite of missing significant time with an upper-body injury, the 18-year-old
Marlies defenseman is expected to be released by the Leafs for the 2018 World Junior in Buffalo and play for his country.
*******
Listen to the Leafs Convo with myself and CTV London’s Norman James:
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»