Garrioch: Leafs have definitely kicked Matt Murray (TSN1200)

On TSN1200’s In The Box, Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch confirmed that talks have taken place between Pierre Dorion and Kyle Dubas regarding goaltender Matt Murray, who is signed for two more seasons at $6.25 million AAV. I can tell you, almost for real, that the Maple Leafs have definitely kicked the tires with the Senators in Matt Murray. I think it’s a team that Matt Murray would go to. This is a tough one for Pierre Dorion and the senators. I know they’ve done deals with the Leafs in the past, but I think it’s tough for them. Garrioch on Connor Brown’s availability: Connor Brown will have as much value now as he will at the trade deadline in February. You might be able to get a second round pick for Brown this summer or maybe a player on a similar contract. You could maybe get a first round pick in the draft. They have absolutely thrown Brown’s name out there. They are willing to listen if they get the right offer. There seems to be a sense that Connor Brown wants to try the UFA. I don’t know what’s happened with the relationship here, but it might not have anything to do with the relationship… It might have something to do with Conor Brown thinking he’s going to have a shot at making money. He wants you to do this.

Johnston: Dubas, Sandin’s agent met before draft in Montreal (TSN)

At TSN Insider Trading, insiders provided the latest on the Leafs’ goaltending situation and the contract negotiation with RFA Rasmus Sandin. Johnston on the Leafs’ goaltending situation in the draft: I thought it was interesting Kyle Dubas said he is still talking to Jack Campbell and his representatives. From what I can tell, there isn’t much progress towards an agreement here. At this point, a week into free agency, I expect Jack Campbell to hit the open market. That leaves the Leafs looking for at least one goaltender. They have signed Petr Mrazek to a contract that is much higher than the way he was. Dubas hinted that he might stay next year. This may come as a surprise to some in Leafs Nation. As for how they could replace Campbell, Marc-Andre Fleury is a name to watch for Toronto. He’s one of the guys that’s out there. I think the Leafs are interested in him. Dreger on Campbell’s possible destination: There is a difference between discussions and actual negotiations. They don’t do meaningful negotiations. It is very possible that Campbell will hit the open market. The two teams I’m most interested in — I’ll start with the Edmonton Oilers and then we’ll look at the New Jersey Devils. We know what the Oilers’ needs are in goal. I also think Ken Holland and the Oilers have the stomach to spend five years at $5 million each. This will matter to Jack Campbell. There are also the Devils, and Washington and Detroit are honorable mentions. Johnston on Kyle Dubas meeting with Rasmus Sandin’s agent in Montreal: After Dubas met the reporters, he went to meet with Rasmus Sandin’s agent in Montreal. I think it’s important. Yes, he needs a contract and is on his second deal. He doesn’t have a lot of leverage or anything, but he’s an important player. His worries are not only about money. It’s not just the controversy over how the convention works. It’s his role in the team. With Mark Giordano already signed, and Jake Muzzin and Morgan Rielly ahead of him on the depth chart, that’s some of the things that need to be ironed out before they get him signed to a contract.

Friedman: It’s not true that Marc-Andre Fleury didn’t want to go to Toronto at the deadline. the sides could not reach a trade (32T Podcast)

On the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman discussed the Leafs’ potential interest in Marc-Andre Fleury and why contract negotiations have seemingly been so quiet between Jack Campbell and the Leafs. I think the gatekeepers and their reps are trying to figure out who’s in and who’s out and where the chairs are at the table. Fleury is one of those guys who needs to figure out what he’s thinking. It could have many options. One of them is Minnesota. One of them is Pittsburgh. I think one of them could be Colorado. The other could be Toronto. Fleury, because his current team is trying to sign him to the Wild, has to make that decision first. I think he’s really starting to think about it now — what he wants to do. I think we could get some clarity on Fleury in the not too distant future. There are some who said he didn’t want to go to Toronto. I don’t think that’s true. I just think the Leafs and Blackhawks couldn’t agree on the trade. Chicago wanted Knies and Toronto wasn’t willing to do it. I think if they had made a deal, he would have gone to Toronto. Friedman on cold negotiations between Campbell and Leafs: I don’t think much is happening. I guess at some point they’ll have a conversation, but I’ve heard there’s nothing really going on there right now. I think Edmonton is interested. I think New Jersey is interested. I’ve had some say he’ll end up with the Devils and some say he’ll end up with the Oilers. It tells me that people still don’t have it right. This has been a strange year of negotiations between Toronto and Campbell. The team doesn’t talk. The agent does not speak. I have mentioned before that I heard the first offer from Toronto to Campbell was 3 x 2.75. This, I think, may have been before the year had even begun. What someone told me on Monday was that the third year of this deal was very low. What I’m guessing is that Campbell came back — as most players would in this situation — with a number so high that the Leafs just said, “We’re not doing that.” Not sure if any of these things are still relevant. I have a feeling that everyone here would argue that it’s over and we’re at a new point. Someone was telling me this as recently as Monday, and it was so wild that the Leafs and Campbell haven’t been on the same page in terms of contracts all season. Sometimes you have a gap, and eventually, you move in together… This person told me that the two have not been in the same universe for quite some time with the third year in that offer to Campbell being “uniquely low”, and what should they have returned to the opposite end of the spectrum. What it essentially did was end negotiations between the two sides. They really haven’t taken it back. This is one of those situations where all the goaltenders, all the teams that need a goaltender and all the players are trying to figure out where the landscape is. It’s a big poker game right now. … I’ve had people suggest some that it could take five years. I think the number five is probably where it goes.

Weeks: I’d be on Gibson or Fleury if I were the Leafs (TSN1050)

Analyst and insider Kevin Weekes joined TSN Overdrive to discuss the Leafs’ network options and direction with Petr Mrazek and the free agency market. Weeks on whether Mrazek could return as a Leaf next season: I can imagine a scenario, yes. Petr Mrazek had a truly horrible season last year and he would be the first to say so. Overall, throughout his career, he has played well, but he really struggled last year and was plagued with injury. He would be the first to tell you. Is Mrazek 100% healthy this offseason at home in the Czech Republic? Does it feel great? Does he look great? If he feels and looks really healthy and good, of course he can come in and play 30-35 and play well. He’s done it his entire career so far, except last year. The question the Leafs will have to address: where does his health stand right now? What does it look like? How it feels? Is he 100% healthy? We can depend on the hips and groin to be that reliable core stabilizing muscle we’ll need to kick us for 30-35 games next year. This is what they weigh and should weigh. Once they can better ascertain this in a way that is accurate, then they can make their decision. Even if you want to take him to another suitor, the buyer will have to do his homework on him as well, and that credibility must be there for the buyer to acquire him. This is how we end up now. They should weigh it if you are the Leafs and Kyle Dubas. Weeks for the best goaltending solution for the Leafs this offseason: Five years ago, at the World Cup of Hockey, I told Shanny and Lou Lamoriello — two people I know a lot. I played with Shanny and I played for Lou twice – that they had a steal on Freddy Andersen. For the last three years, I’ve been telling the NHL Network and ESPN to go get John Gibson. I’ve been following John Gibson since he played in Kitchener. He’s a kid from Pittsburgh who played in Kitchener who had money at U17, U18 and World Junior – gold in all of them. He was in the men’s world championships after his senior year in Kitchener. He was a three-time All-Star playing in Anaheim. I don’t understand why they haven’t gone out and taken him yet. Everyone tells you in every rink back home: no goalie, you can’t win anything. Then go get the guy! If they’re not going to go get Gibson via trade, the most attractive non-Gibson option on the market is Marc-Andre Fleury. If I were them, they need to get one of these two guys. If I’m Kyle and Shanny, we’re not resting this season unless we get Gibson or MA Fleury in free agency. Weeks in…