Check out the latest on the Leafs and Stars in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel wondered if Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren could end up on the trade block.
He reports the Maple Leafs were open to trading Liljegren this summer as the threat of arbitration loomed before signing the 25-year-old blueliner to a two-year contract. However, he’s fallen down the depth chart in training camp and perhaps out of the opening-night lineup.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren (NHL Images).
Liljegren carries a $3 million average annual value through 2025-26, making him a potentially expensive seventh defenseman. Siegel wondered if he had any trade value with that cap hit and if it would be wise to move him given they have an older defense corps with injury questions.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: For the time being, no, and given the injury histories of Chris Tanev and Jani Hakanpaa, it would be best to hang onto Liljegren and allow him to play his way back among the top-four blueliners.
Siegel also pondered whether the Leafs will make a move to address their crowded forward lines.
He wondered if they might move fourth-line forward David Kampf and his $2.4 million AAV and replace him with the more affordable Steven Lorentz, who’s in camp on a professional tryout offer (PTO). Siegel also mused over whether Calle Jarnkrok fits within head coach Craig Berube’s system and if Max Pacioretty will get a contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kampf and Jarnkrok have frequently come up as trade candidates this week. One of them might be moved before the Leafs’ season opener next week.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau wondered what moves the Dallas Stars might make at the March 7 trade deadline to improve their chances of winning the Stanley Cup.
Proteau believes GM Jim Nill will likely focus on bolstering his blueline but points out the Stars only have around $693K in salary-cap space. He thinks Nill will have to get creative if he hopes to add a veteran defenseman by the deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The right side of the Stars defense is a concern. They added two physical right-shot rearguards with Matt Dumba and Ilya Lyubushkin but could use another one with better all-around skill.