Any NHL general manager who can help the Toronto Maple Leafs upgrade their blue line, give them a call. Because according to TSN’s Darren Dreger, they’re willing to deal:
Some trade discussion with teams on a number of Leafs players. Kadri, Gardiner, Bolland and Kulemin included. Leafs brass is eager to talk.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 9, 2014
Of the four players Dreger named, Kadri and Gardiner would bring the Leafs the biggest return. Both are talented and just 23 years old, with good offensive capabilities. Bolland and Kulemin are pending unrestricted free agents; all that can be traded is their negotiating rights.
The Leafs, of course, announced yesterday that head coach Randy Carlyle will be back next season. And while assistant coaches Dave Farrish, Scott Gordon and Greg Cronin paid the price and won’t be back, it’s expected there will be relatively significant roster changes after the team’s disastrous finish to the 2013-14 season.
“The consistency of our compete in our defensive zone coverage was the area of concern right from the opening month of the season,” Carlyle said yesterday in a conference call.