Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is very familiar with Chris Tanev.
Could a reunion be next?
The Dallas Stars defenceman is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on Monday, and the Leafs could be one of the prime pursuers, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Treliving, of course, was GM of Calgary while the Toronto-born Tanev, 34, was a Flame.
“Knowing Treliving, I think Tanev is the guy he likes the most,” Friedman said on the Jeff Marek Show on Thursday. “He likes his game, he likes him personally and he knows him.”
The Stars know they’re in a battle for Tanev and made one move to achieve some savings on Thursday, buying out the final year of Ryan Suter’s contract.
With Suter at age 39 and the Stars needing roster flexibility, the move could help Dallas be more active in the next week.
While the Stars would like to keep Tanev, they may also be in the running for another big fish in the free-agent pond.
“I also suspect Dallas is one of teams lurking around Jake Guentzel,” Friedman said. “There seems to be some growing momentum between Guentzel and Carolina, but I do believe Dallas is around there.”
The Hurricanes acquired Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins at the trade deadline. Friedman said the Hurricanes are trying to determine Guentzel’s future ahead of the NHL Draft on Friday.
The Hurricanes could trade his rights if they don’t feel he’ll stick around.
What’s up with Marner?
There has been non-stop discussion about Mitch Marner’s future since the Leafs’ season ended.
The talented winger holds a no-move clause as he enters the final year of his deal.
As of now, Friedman said he feels the most likely scenario is that Marner stays with Toronto — at least for this season.
“I do believe the Leafs have considered internally making him a (contract) offer and see where it goes,” Friedman said. “Until i get evidence that he’s serious about going anywhere else, there’s a serious offer for him to go anywhere else in terms of both the contract and trade, you have to convince me this is going to go any other direction.”
The Leafs, meanwhile, have decisions to make on UFA forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi after they played on one-year deals last season.
Trouba talk
Could the New York Rangers trade their captain?
It’s no sure thing, but there are rumbling the Rangers are at least considering a move involving Jacob Trouba.
The defenceman’s full no-trade clause turns into a 15-team list on Monday.
“I’ve heard the Rangers have asked for his list, which is purely normal procedure, However you have to recognize after what happened with Barclay Goodrow (being placed on waivers and then being claimed by the San Jose Sharks), it’s very clear (GM) Chris Drury is going to do come hell or high water what he thinks is best for the New York Rangers. If you’re Jacob Trouba, you have to at least be aware of the possibility.
“I would have said it was impossible a while ago. I believe it’s possible now. I wouldn’t put a percentage on how likely it is.”
