{"id":58898,"date":"2019-10-15T08:30:47","date_gmt":"2019-10-15T12:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=58898"},"modified":"2020-12-21T15:01:45","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T20:01:45","slug":"nhl-rumours-toronto-maple-leafs-buffalo-sabres-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/10\/15\/nhl-rumours-toronto-maple-leafs-buffalo-sabres-more\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, More"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It\u2019s time once again for another edition of NHL <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rumours<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Teams are trying to make moves to clear salary-cap space or find players a new spot. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Some are trying to bolster lineups for this year and looking forward to the future. Today\u2019s NHL <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rumours<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> focus on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Toronto Maple<\/a> <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Leafs<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/sabres\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Buffalo <\/a><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/sabres\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sabres<\/a>, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/ducks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anaheim Ducks<\/a>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>All NHL rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NHL Rumours<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>Rumour: Russian reporters Pavel Lysenkov and Igor Eronko reported that Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas met with Russians <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/grigomi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mikhail Grigorenko<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nesteni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nikita Nesterov<\/a><\/strong> in Russia. Toronto\u2019s GM has spent time in Europe for the last couple of days talking to players that he can sign.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Per <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/plysenkov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@plysenkov<\/a> Kyle Dubas had meetings with Mikhail Grigorenko and Nikita Nesterov while being in Russia. Both will be UFAs next year <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/LeafsForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#LeafsForever<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/IgorEronko\/status\/1183764168920436737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 14, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Both Russians are unrestricted free agents next year and have been with CSKA Moscow of the KHL the last few seasons. The Russian duo jumped back to Europe at the end of the 2016-17 season.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>Analysis:<\/em> Both players would likely want a return to North America when their respective deals expire. Each player has unfinished business in the NHL as both had <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">lacklustre<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> ends to their last stints. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Grigorenko<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> scored only 10 goals in his last season with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/avalanche\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Colorado Avalanche<\/a> while <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Nesterov<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> collected four between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/lightning\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/canadiens\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Montreal Canadiens<\/a>. Both want to be significant contributors to any club that desires them. A good season in North America could lead to a bigger contract in a year or two after that.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dubas would love to get some reinforcements at a hopefully low cost. The <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Leafs<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> are usually up against the salary cap and maybe both players can be good value signings. Toronto would love to add these players in the middle of its lineup to give it some depth scoring. Dubas is creative when it comes to fitting players under the salary cap, so don\u2019t be surprised if he can get one or both to come to the Maple Leafs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Buffalo Sabres<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>Rumour: During Saturday\u2019s Hockey Night in Canada \u201cHeadlines\u201d segment, Chris Johnston of Sportsnet said that Buffalo has told rookies <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/olofsvi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Victor Olofsson<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/jokihhe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henri Jokiharju<\/a><\/strong> to find more permanent residences in the city. Head coach Ralph Kruger confirmed this on Sunday <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JTMessinger\/status\/1183468699568738304\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">during the after-practice media scrum<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Both players have been part of the Sabres\u2019 5-0-1 start, which is the best since the 2008-09 season. Olofsson has set an NHL record to score his first seven career goals on the power play. Jokiharju has earned his keep on the blueline and built a solid partnership with <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/scandma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marco Scandella<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/FriedgeHNIC\/status\/1183232230879047680<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>Analysis:<\/em> Buffalo has gotten off the blocks quickly with points in their first six games and the rookie duo is a huge part of the success. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Olofsson<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> has been an opportunist on the extra-man units and been able to put pucks in the net.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jokiharju<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> had to fight for a spot on the team in camp but is making the most of the opportunity. The injury to<a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/montobr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong> Brandon <\/strong><\/a><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/montobr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Montour<\/strong><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> opened the door for the Finn and he\u2019s walked through it. Buffalo\u2019s <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">defence<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> was crowded at the start of the training camp, but <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jokiharju<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> looks solid. He\u2019s been making breakout passes and made <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">defence<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> turn to offence.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If Buffalo can sustain this hot start, both players will have played a big hand in its revival under Kruger. However, the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sabres<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> had a 10-game winning streak last season before it all fell apart.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Anaheim Ducks<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>Rumour: Eric Stephens of The Athletic (<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/1287012\/2019\/10\/11\/ducks-mailbag-playing-with-more-pace-sprongs-next-steps-brendan-guhles-potential\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">subscription required<\/a>) held a mailbag session and said the Ducks might still be in the market for a righthanded shooting defenceman. They\u2019ve missed out on getting <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/faulkju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Justin Faulk<\/a><\/strong> in the off-season.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Things have quieted down in the search, but they could be in the market if they stay in the playoff race. Anaheim is playing <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/fowleca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cam Fowler<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/delzomi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Del Zotto<\/a><\/strong> on their off hands as of this time. That seems to be the plan going forward unless injuries or the right deal comes along.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>Analysis:<\/em> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/eakinda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dallas Eakins <\/a>has the Ducks playing well despite Monday\u2019s loss to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/bruins\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Boston Bruins<\/a>. Anaheim has been more open with its increased up-tempo style and the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">defence<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> has played well most of the time. The Ducks would love to get more balance on the right side.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The play of <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/guhlebr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brendan Guhle<\/a><\/strong> has stabilized the team and mostly quelled any talk about making a deal for a blueliner. Guhle has been a great partner to Fowler and uses his speed and passing skills to start the counterattack. <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/larssja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jacob Larsson<\/a><\/strong> has also played well in the number five <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">defenceman<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> role and been an excellent depth option. Anaheim struggled on <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">defence<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> at times last season, but the backend has been mostly solid thus far.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Fowler has also done a great job adapting to playing on the right side. He\u2019s been the solid veteran that has guided his 22-year-old partner through the early part of the season.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2019\/10\/craig-anderson-and-mark-borowiecki-of-the-ottawa-senators-keeps-track-picture-id647280048.jpg\" alt=\"\">OTTAWA, CANADA &#8211; MARCH 2: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/a\/andercr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Craig Anderson<\/a> #41 and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/borowma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mark Borowiecki<\/a> #74 of the Ottawa Senators keeps track of an inbound shot as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/grigomi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mikhail Grigorenko<\/a> #25 of the Colorado Avalanche lifts his stick for a deflection during an NHL game at Canadian Tire Centre on March 2, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Francois Laplante\/Freestyle Photography\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s time once again for another edition of NHL rumours. Teams are trying to make moves to clear salary-cap space or find players a new spot. Some are trying to bolster lineups for this year and looking forward to the future. Today\u2019s NHL rumours focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, and Anaheim Ducks.\u00a0 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":58899,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4321,20,3,2,18],"tags":[118,418,182,656,1613,1696,1814,667,1298,5715,3877,582,72,3532],"class_list":["post-58898","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rumours","category-ducks","category-sabres","category-featured","category-leafs","tag-anaheim-ducks","tag-brendan-guhle","tag-buffalo-sabres","tag-cam-fowler","tag-henri-jokiharju","tag-kyle-dubas","tag-marcus-kruger","tag-michael-del-zotto","tag-mikhail-grigorenko","tag-nhl-rumors","tag-nhl-rumours","tag-nikita-nesterov","tag-toronto-maple-leafs","tag-victor-olofsson"],"modified_by":"William Grigsby","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58898","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58898"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58898\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58898"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58898"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58898"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}