Check out the latest on the Maple Leafs and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle wondered if another cost-cutting trade could be coming to help the Toronto Maple Leafs get under the salary cap.
Defenseman Jani Hakanpaa and forward Connor Dewar will soon complete their AHL conditioning stints as they return from injury. Meanwhile, the Leafs have an extra forward (Pontus Holmberg) and two extra defensemen (Matt Benning and Philippe Myers).
Mirtle indicates the Leafs are trying to trade Benning. Failing that, he or Myers could be placed on waivers and sent to the minors if unclaimed.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson (NHL Images).
They’ll also have to free up a spot for Calle Jarnkrok when he returns from injury. Holmberg could be waived and demoted while trade candidates include Nick Robertson and David Kampf. Moving Kampf would clear his $2.4 million annual cap hit (through 2025-26) from their books.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes it’s time for the Leafs and Nick Robertson to part ways. The 23-year-old winger has had a sub-par start to the season and should be traded.
Robertson asked for a trade this summer but eventually signed a one-year, $875K contract with the Leafs. He had five goals in preseason play but only one in 11 games thus far and has been a healthy scratch from a couple of recent games.
Proteau thinks Robertson might benefit from a fresh start elsewhere. He believes the young winger would get a longer look as a top-nine forward with a club like the Colorado Avalanche or New York Islanders.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see what kind of roster juggling Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has in store to address this issue.
It’s been rumored he could shop a forward like Kampf or Jarnkrok. Robertson also remains a trade possibility.
Proteau suggested the Avs and Isles because injuries have left them thin on their respective forward lines. He’d be an affordable addition to those cap-strapped clubs but his inconsistent play affects his value in the trade market.
SPORTSNET: Eric Engels recently answered some questions from Montreal Canadiens fans.
First, he doesn’t believe Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis is on the hot seat and doesn’t expect he’ll be fired anytime soon. Despite the team’s current struggles, management expected this and they believe St. Louis will seize the opportunity to improve and come out a better coach.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: St. Louis remains part of the Canadiens’ long-term plans but he could use some help from the coaching staff, especially with their defensive game. Any changes behind the bench could involve his assistants.
Engels also repeated recent reports indicating Canadiens GM Kent Hughes is shopping around for a veteran defenseman and a gritty forward. However, Hughes doesn’t want to pay a high price for depth.
Hughes could be interested in re-signing center Jake Evans but shouldn’t rush based on his strong start to this season. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old center could price himself out of Montreal if he seeks over $3 million annually on his next contract.
They could be interested in re-signing 34-year-old defenseman David Savard if he accepts a short-term deal for less money.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes isn’t going to make any panicky deals based on his team’s poor start. Management remains in rebuild mode despite hoping to be in the mix for playoff contention this season. They hope to get a boost when sidelined winger Patrik Laine returns from a knee injury in December.