Insider provides conflicting report, all but rules out the Leafs for pursuit of top deadline target
The Leafs are facing perhaps the most important trade deadline of the Auston Matthews era and, up to this point, the belief has been that the Buds are going to make a splash at the deadline.
While that still may be true, there is at least one top target that, in TSN's Chris Johnston's mind, likely won't be coming to Toronto - San Jose Sharks forward Timo Meier. Johnston stated as much on TSN1050 today, indicating that he doesn't see the Buds as a finalist in the Meier sweepstakes. This, of course, goes against the reporting of Elliotte Friedman, who recently reported that the Leafs do indeed have an interest in bringing in Meier.
Whether it be the competition driving up the cost or the specific pieces that San Jose will want that the Leafs wouldn't be interested in moving, Johnston believes that the Leafs will look elsewhere to fill their need for a top-6 left winger. Obviously, it's not written in stone and there's still several weeks between now and the trade deadline for the Buds to change their minds or to get more involved in the trade negotiations for Meier, but for now, it appears as though Dubas and company will look for what they feel is a better fit.
The Leafs have just over $1.1M in available cap space currently, which can be increased by either going with a 20-man roster for the next couple of months or by dealing someone like Alexander Kerfoot. If Kerfoot is dealt, within the next couple of weeks, it may be a good indicator that the Leafs are big game hunting at the deadline. If not, we may be looking at yet another complimentary move rather than a big name acquisition.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 31 | 247 ANSWERS Insider provides conflicting report, all but rules out the Leafs for pursuit of top deadline target Do you think Elliotte Friedman or Chris Johnston has the more accurate report on the Leafs' interest or lack thereof in Timo Meier? | ||
| Johnston is right - Leafs don't want Meier | 36 | 14.6 % |
| Friedman is right - Meier is the right fit | 60 | 24.3 % |
| Neither know what the Leafs are thinking | 151 | 61.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
