{"id":70463,"date":"2020-03-03T08:32:18","date_gmt":"2020-03-03T13:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=70463"},"modified":"2020-12-21T14:58:38","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T19:58:38","slug":"nhl-rumours-toronto-maple-leafs-florida-panthers-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/03\/03\/nhl-rumours-toronto-maple-leafs-florida-panthers-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, and Coronavirus Impact"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Hello and welcome back to the Monday edition of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/rumours\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NHL Rumours<\/a>. We are just a week removed from the NHL Trade Deadline, but that does not mean the news stops. The general managers are meeting in Boca Raton, Florida this week. Continue to stop by Last Word on Hockey for all the latest news and analysis. Today&#8217;s NHL rumours feature the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/panthers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Florida Panthers<\/a>, and the impact of the coronavirus.<\/p>\n<h2>NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n<h3>Toronto Maple Leafs<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: With the NHL Trade Deadline just passing, Luke Fox of Sportsnet looks at how the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> can improve their defence with the upcoming free agency class.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Quick Shifts: A peek at Maple Leafs&#8217; defence options for 2020-21 | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/schneco01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cory Schneider<\/a> kept a pulse on Devils from AHL | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/panarar01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Artemi Panarin<\/a>&#8216;s Hart Trophy bid + 9 more NHL things <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/kUiqIZJoHO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/kUiqIZJoHO<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/rv9QVWUA3d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/rv9QVWUA3d<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/lukefoxjukebox\/status\/1233834195388116992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 29, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:\u00a0<\/em>The Maple Leafs made a minor move at the trade deadline. reacquiring<strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/rosenca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Calle Rosen<\/a><\/strong>. However, the team has some real concerns on defence with<strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/barrity01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyson Barrie<\/a> <\/strong>and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/cecico01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Cody Ceci<\/strong><\/a> pending free agents. General manager <strong>Kyle Dubas<\/strong> wants to avoid starting next season with <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hollju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Justin Holl<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/liljeti01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Timothy Liljegren<\/a><\/strong> and <strong>Joseph Duszak<\/strong> on the right side. Now the Maple Leafs could re-sign those players, but if the team can&#8217;t keep those players, Fox looks at some available options.<\/p>\n<p>Considering the team&#8217;s cap situation especially with their forward group, options are limited. Fox mentions players like <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vatansa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sami Vatanen<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hamontr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Travis Hamonic<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tanevch01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Tanev<\/a><\/strong>, and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/schulju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Justin Schultz<\/a><\/strong> as possible fits. Considering the Maple Leafs have shown interest in Hamonic and Tanev in the past, that is something Dubas should revisit this off-season. However, with not many standout options, Dubas should try to trade for players like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/dumbama01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matt Dumba<\/a><\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mansojo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Josh Manson<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/ristora01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rasmus\u00a0Ristolainen<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Florida Panthers<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: Chris Johnston was Sportsnet 960 last Thursday and talked about how the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/panthers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Florida Panthers<\/a> could be cutting more salary if they do not make the playoffs.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:<\/em> When <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/trochvi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vincent Trocheck<\/a><\/strong> was traded at the trade deadline, many people were shocked. However, diving deeper into the situation Trocheck was not one of head coach <strong>Joel Quenneville&#8217;<\/strong>s favourites. The trade was a move by ownership to cut payroll. Not only that but the team felt they needed to get better defensively. On paper, the Panthers should be competing for a playoff spot every season. However, that is not the case this season. They remain on the outside looking in with the push towards the playoffs in progress. And the feeling is if the Panthers do not make the playoffs, there could be even more cost-cutting coming. It would not surprise anyone as Johnston reported that the Panthers would no longer be a cap team. Again that is all contingent on how the Panthers do over the next several weeks.<\/p>\n<h3>Coronavirus and the NHL<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: With the coronavirus affecting the world&#8217;s population, Rick Westhead reported today that if the virus starts to spread even rapidly, sports leagues may have to consider cancelling, postponing, or playing games without spectators.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">In a memo to teams sent Friday, the NHL advised frequent hand washing for players\/team staff, more teleconference meetings, and monitoring of alerts from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rwesthead\/status\/1234524567630118912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 2, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:\u00a0<\/em>This should not come as any surprise. The IIHF already cancelled six lower-tier international tournaments that were scheduled in March. In addition, Switzerland postponed its playoffs until at least March 15th. Not to mention the PWHPA cancelled their trip to Tokyo. The NHL needs to closely monitor the situation. But will need to do what is best for the safety of its players. While the IIHF has no plans to cancel their major tournaments scheduled for April and May, they continue to monitor the situation. That is something the NHL has started to do and must continue to do just in case the virus spreads.<\/p>\n<p>As Westhead noted the NHL did send out a memo to their teams to continue with safety measures. They urged players and staff are encouraged to wash their hands. However, the NHL does not need to overreact to the fear that is being spread throughout the news networks. As IIHF President Rene Fasel noted, the 2020 IIHF World Championships will not be &#8220;ghost championships.&#8221; With Fasel and NHL Commissioner <strong>Gary Bettman<\/strong> constantly talking, both know cancelling games hurts the overall bottom line. With the NHL being heavily gate driven and if there is a ban on large gatherings then the players don&#8217;t receive their share of the revenue.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"j2dvTabjSmhP5BFPmgzNow\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.ca\/detail\/467910046\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'j2dvTabjSmhP5BFPmgzNow',sig:'pH0F0cN4B_67s0R76_O-PowVERYglliK7YEQZz07u6w=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'467910046',caption: true ,tld:'ca',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hello and welcome back to the Monday edition of\u00a0NHL Rumours. We are just a week removed from the NHL Trade Deadline, but that does not mean the news stops. The general managers are meeting in Boca Raton, Florida this week. Continue to stop by Last Word on Hockey for all the latest news and analysis. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3130,"featured_media":70478,"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":[2,6,4548,4321,18],"tags":[4662,106,38,4663,5715,3877,72],"class_list":["post-70463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-panthers","category-nhl","category-rumours","category-leafs","tag-coronavirus","tag-florida-panthers","tag-nhl","tag-nhl-general-managers-meetings","tag-nhl-rumors","tag-nhl-rumours","tag-toronto-maple-leafs"],"modified_by":"William Grigsby","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70463","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\/3130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70463"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70463\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70478"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}