Maple Leafs scratch Scott Laughton, Bobby McMann, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson; Trade deadline sell-off begins
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have scratched three of their rumored on the market forwards tonight vs New Jersey as forwards Bobby McMann & Scott Laughton, along with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, were all kept out ahead of Toronto's game tonight against the New Jersey Devils.
The Toronto Maple Leafs confirmed on social media that all three were being held out for 'roster management reasons' and wouldn't dress tonight.
The move comes as Leafs head coach Craig Berube said earlier today that roster changes as the trade deadline nears wouldn't be happening, a sudden change of course.
McMann, 29, has been the talk of the town recently as his trade value continues to hover around the second-round pick level and keeping him out of the game tonight ensures Toronto doesn't risk injury in a meaningless game.
He has 32 points in 57 games this season, to go along with 135 hits and is signed at $1.35-million over until the end of the year.
Ekman-Larsson, 34, has 32 points in 57 games for the team this season in a bit of a throwback, and his ability to help a contender during a playoff run is elite given his production on top of a Stanley Cup win; he makes $3.5-million for the next two years.
Laughton, 30, was acquired at least year's deadline for the playoff push but with that out of the cards now, getting something for him with a thin center market is a solid alternative.
He has 12 points in 43 games this season (8 goals, 4 assists) and is signed until the end of the year at $1.5-million.
Toronto plays New Jersey tonight, and goes up tomorrow against the New York Rangers before the NHL trade deadline on March 6th.
All three players have been heavily linked in recent trade talks in the past few weeks leading up to the deadline, and the three sitting out becomes the first sign of GM Brad Treliving's willingness to engage with teams as sellers.
The Leafs sit six points back of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, with Columbus having an additional game in hand on Toronto.
Are the Toronto Maple Leafs ready to sell off?
The Toronto Maple Leafs now look more than over poised to potentially sell, and it's the recent trade market over the last few days that could be fueling it.
Toronto got a potential market for Brandon Carlo as defenseman Tyler Myers was dealt at 50% retained from the Vancouver Canucks to the Dallas Stars for a second and fourth round picks.
Carlo, like Myers, is a tall, defensive right-handed blueliner who has a physical presence on the ice. Toronto could retain on Carlo's $4.1M contract and create intrigue to teams that like Myers could net a trade along the lines of a second round pick.
Another right-handed D in recent days who has moved teams is Connor Murphy from Chicago to the Edmonton Oilers, also having 50% retention net Chicago a second round pick.
A potential price for Bobby McMann came yesterday as center Michael McCarron was dealt from the Nashville Predators to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a second round pick.
McMann has more of an offensive game and plays at a higher level than McCarron, which if he goes for a second, could push McMann into first round pick return territory, despite some media reports that such a return hasn't been found by Treliving on the market.
Toronto has also been given a potential market for a Bobby McMann extension earlier today as forward Kiefer Sherwood signed a five-year contract at just under $6M annually.
Both McMann & Ekman-Larsson could net Toronto back the equivalent of a first round pick, and in Ekman-Larsson's case perhaps a tad more, while Brandon Carlo could bring home the equivalent of a second, restocking an empty Leafs draft cabinet or prospect pool.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Kiefer Sherwood's $5.75M deal sets new market for Bobby McMann trade
Kiefer Sherwood's $5.75M deal sets new market for Bobby McMann trade
| POLL | ||
MARS 4|433 ANSWERS Maple Leafs scratch Scott Laughton, Bobby McMann, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson; Trade deadline sell-off begins Who is the likeliest to be traded? | ||
| Bobby McMann | 214 | 49.4 % |
| Oliver Ekman-Larsson | 153 | 35.3 % |
| Scott Laughton | 66 | 15.2 % |
| List of polls | ||