Maple Leafs Notes: ‘Important curiosity’ in Meier commerce; Holl scratched

TORONTO — The Timo Meier sweepstakes are in full swing, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly one in all 4 groups sharpening their pencils and prepping their greatest supply.

The Maple Leafs be part of the New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights as 4 contenders with “vital curiosity” in prying the Sharks’ prime objective scorer out of San Jose, Kevin Weekes reported on Twitter Tuesday.

“I actually imagine the Carolina Hurricanes maintain the keys to that automobile if they need it,” former Hurricanes adviser Mike Futa stated on Actual Kyper & Bourne on Tuesday.

The Devils have loads of cap area now and sooner or later.

The Hurricanes and Golden Knights have apparent lineup holes (and LTIR aid) with accidents to star wingers Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone, respectively.

The Maple Leafs really feel just like the lengthy shot right here.

Becoming Meier — the largest out there game-breaking ahead — into this season’s cap image is doable, notably if the Sharks are keen to retain wage.

The gamble could be finding out the restricted free agent’s future within the low season.

Meier requires a one-year, $10-million qualifying supply, or a long-term contract that will preserve his AAV down.

Everyone knows how a lot cash GM Kyle Dubas has already dedicated to his prime 4 forwards for 2023-24.

But there’s sturdy perception that Dubas remains to be prioritizing an affect ahead, with Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Ryan O’Rielly available on the market as nicely.

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“At first of the 12 months, when (Jake) Muzzin went down, my focus shifted mechanically to defence. We gathered lots of accidents on D,” Dubas stated final week.

“Our depth guys have stepped up and finished nicely. With them doing that, the best way the group performed as a complete defensively opened it as much as say, ‘We do really feel considerably comfy with the group.’ If we will enhance it, we’ll accomplish that.

“But it surely’s shifting the main focus from simply the again finish to the general group and the way we will enhance that.”

Toronto’s transfer is coming.

Whether it is certainly Meier, that will be the largest blockbuster of Dubas’s tenure.

“Something can occur at any time,” Justin Holl advised reporters of the looming March 3 commerce deadline. “So it’s a must to be ready.”

Holl scratched for first time this season

As soon as upon a time, all Holl knew was the wholesome scratch.

However this season, regardless of some swings in efficiency, the suitable shot has been a top-four fixture … till now.

Holl will sit down within the press field Wednesday versus the Chicago Blackhawks, leaving 39-year-old Mark Giordano as the one Toronto blueliner to have performed in every of the membership’s 55 video games this season.

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“I do know I made some performs I don’t like,” Holl stated of his minus-3 exhibiting in Saturday’s 4-3 residence loss to the cellar-dwelling Columbus Blue Jackets.

Keefe has been eager to get righty Conor Timmins, who hasn’t performed since Jan. 27, again into the lineup.

“You’re searching for somebody to take out. So, don’t give me a cause,” Keefe stated.

Holl struggled with boxouts across the internet Saturday, and it was his man, Kent Johnson, who obtained sufficient place to tip residence the game-winner close to the blue paint.

Timmins slides in alongside Rasmus Sandin on the third pair, whereas Timothy Liljegren will get a promotion to the highest 4 alongside Giordano.

This marks Timmins’ first look since inking his two-year extension, which places pending UFA Holl’s future with the membership in query.

“I’m tremendous excited to be right here for an additional two years. I feel it’s been a extremely good match to this point, and it’s an awesome group of fellows, nice group,” stated seventh man Timmins, striving to be an every-day participant.

“That’s a objective of mine, for positive. Everybody desires to play each sport. Now we have such an excellent group right here, that’s not at all times the case. However you simply should do what you may along with your alternatives and work as arduous as you may once you’re within the lineup.”

The self-aware Timmins considers himself merely “a bit of the puzzle” in Toronto, the place the playmaker appreciates the deal with puck possession. He’s been wanting to reap the benefits of the group’s sources and understands his sport wants improvement.

He says Dubas initiated contract talks along with his agent a pair months in the past, and the two-year deal got here collectively easily.

“That is the primary spot the place I’ve discovered an excellent match and actually discovered my sport,” Timmins says. “They’ve actually taken an curiosity in my improvement. They’ve given me all of the sources to maintain bettering.”

Matthews targets return

“It sucks watching,” Auston Matthews admitted to reporters Tuesday, following his first yes-contact observe since struggling a knee sprain earlier than the all-star break.

“It’s been feeling higher and higher each day.”

Matthews nonetheless wants an official thumbs-up from the medical workers Wednesday morning, however all indicators level towards him dealing with off in opposition to Patrick Kane and the Blackhawks.

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The return of Toronto’s No. 1 centre “can’t be overstated,” says Keefe, who has watched his gamers scuffle together with a 2-3 file throughout Matthews’ latest ailment.

Search for Matthews to centre Michael Bunting and William Nylander, whereas John Tavares operates between Alexander Kerfoot and Mitchell Marner.

Gavrikov scratched for trade-related causes

With Zach Werenski injured, Vladislav Gavrikov has emerged because the Blue Jackets’ prime minutes muncher. And one of the fascinating items on the rental market.

“Zero upkeep,” coach Brad Larsen stated final week. “Large physique. Bodily. Nice defender. Is aware of what he’s. Is aware of what type of play he must play to be efficient. You admire his sport once you see him each day and what he does. He’s not the flashiest man however constant in what he brings.”

Gavrikov will likely be held out of Columbus’s lineup to protect his well being and commerce worth.

Little doubt, the Maple Leafs have some degree of curiosity, however Dubas is on file saying he received’t spend a first-round decide on a rental.

Through the Leafs’ home-and-home in opposition to the Jackets on the weekend, Keefe famous Gavrikov’s arduous defence, capacity to shut area, his good stick, and his willingness to dam photographs.

Nylander will get tough and rowdy

Nylander took exception to what he deemed a late hit from Nick Blankenburg into the end-boards Saturday and retaliated with a whack.

Matthews, watching from afar, obtained a chuckle out of the incident and believes it’s value taking a penalty once in a while to fireplace a “message” on the opposition.

“I had a reasonably good chortle after I noticed him do this. It was nice,” Matthews stated. “When it occurred, it seemed worse than once you sluggish it down.”

Upon evaluation, Keefe questioned if Blankenburg deserved an embellishment penalty for his position within the trade. The coach doubled down on his appreciation for Nylander’s aggressiveness.

“It reveals emotion. It reveals depth, competitiveness,” Keefe stated. “He thought the man hit him a bit late, so that you reply.

“Each every so often, you’ve obtained to let a man know you’re not going to let him reap the benefits of you. That’s a part of being a competitor. Simply one other factor so as to add to the listing of issues Willy has added to his sport by way of consistency and being engaged.”

Maple Leafs projected traces Wednesday vs. Chicago

Bunting – Matthews – Nylander
Kerfoot – Tavares – Marner
Engvall – Kampf – Jarnkrok
Aston-Reese – Holmberg – Anderson

Rielly – Brodie
Giordano – Liljegren
Sandin – Timmins

Samsonov
Woll

Extra from Sportsnet

Maple Leafs’ Matthews eyeing return vs. Chicago following knee sprain

Maple Leafs recall Homberg, Steeves and Woll from AHL’s Marlies

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