Sport-scan daily brief

“The message [to the Leafs] is: We’re happy with their play. They’ve put us in a good position.”

National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013

667963 Toronto Maple Leafs

The best of the NHL trade deadline

Canadian Press and National Post Wire Services | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 6:18 PM ET

Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo blames contract for trade troubles

After learning he had not been traded before the NHL-mandated deadline, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo stood behind a lectern and, with brutal honesty, blamed his long-term contract for preventing a deal: “I’d scrap it if I could, right now.”

The 33-year-old has nine years remaining on a 12-year contract, carrying a cap hit of US$5.3-million through the 2021-22 season. He has been tied to trade speculation for months, long before the NHL ended its lockout in January.

The Ottawa Senators have traded goalie Ben Bishop to the Tampa Bay Lightning for rookie centre Cory Conacher and fourth-round pick.

The 26-year-old Bishop was acquired by Ottawa from the St. Louis Blues last season in exchange for a second-round pick.

Ottawa had a crowded crease this season with Bishop, No. 1 goalie Craig Anderson and rising star Robin Lehner all seeing action.

Anderson suffered an ankle injury early in February, forcing both Bishop and Lehner to shoulder the load.

But with Anderson set to return, Bishop was the odd man out.

Leafs pick up Ryan O’Byrne before the deadline

An hour after telling a TSN reporter he did not expect his team to complete a last-second trade — before adding the addendum “that can change quickly” — Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis acquired a large defenceman who could fill out one of the team’s top two pairings.

Blue Jackets add Marian Gaborik, send goaltender Steve Mason to Flyers

The Columbus Blue Jackets have shown they’re serious about making the playoffs, acquiring forward Marian Gaborik from the New York Rangers. Gaborik has had an off-year offensively in New York with nine goals and 10 assists in 35 games. But he is a proven scorer and is just one year removed from a 41-goal, 35-assist campaign in 2011-12.

The left-wing from Trencin, Slovakia, has 333 goals and 333 assists in 757 career games with Minnesota and New York. His best statistical season was in 2009-10, when he had 42 goals and 44 assists in his first season in New York.

Sabres trade captain Pominville to Wild

A person familiar with trade talks has confirmed the Buffalo Sabres have agreed to deal captain Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the trade has not yet been approved by the NHL. French-Canada’s RDS sports network first reported the deal Wednesday, before the NHL’s trade deadline hit. RDS reported the Sabres were to receive rookie forward Johan Larsson and rookie goalie Matt Hackett in return.

Both Wild players were pulled off the ice earlier in the day before their game at San Jose.

Pominville is an eight-year NHL veteran, and a six-time 20-goal scorer.

Predators trade Martin Erat and Michael Latta to the Capitals for Filip Forsberg

It was the last trade of the day — The Predators sent Martin Erat and Michael Latta to Washington for Filip Forsberg.

The Predators picked up Forsberg to be “mindful of the long-term.” He spent this season in the Swedish league.

“In Filip Forsberg, we are adding one of the top rated young forwards in the world,” the Predators said in a release. “We are excited to have him join our other emerging young talent and solid veterans at the position.”

Oilers pick up centre Jerred Smithson from Panthers

The Edmonton Oilers have acquired centre Jerred Smithson from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a fourth-round pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft.

The 34-year-old native of Vernon, B.C., has five points in 35 games this season. Smithson made his NHL debut with the Los Angeles Kings in the 2002-’03 season. The undrafted forward spent parts of seven seasons with the Nashville Predators. He was dealt to Florida last season.

Smithson has recorded 95 points (38 goals, 57 assists) in 578 career NHL regular-season games.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are adding another veteran forward for the playoff run. The Penguins have acquired Jussi Jokinen from the Carolina Hurricanes for a conditional sixth- or seventh-round pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. Jokinen has 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 33 games this season.

Pittsburgh has landed forwards Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow and defenceman Douglas Murray in deals over the last two weeks.

The Penguins enter play Wednesday night with a five-point lead on second-place Montreal in the Eastern Conference standings.

Jokinen has recorded 346 points (121-225) in 569 career regular-season NHL games with Carolina, Tampa Bay and Dallas.

Veteran blue-liner Scott Hannan returns to Sharks

Veteran defenceman Scott Hannan is returning to San Jose. The Nashville Predators have dealt Hannan to the Sharks for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Hannan has one assist in 29 games this season.

The 34-year-old Richmond, B.C., native spent parts of eight seasons with San Jose. He has also played for the Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals and Calgary Flames. Hannan has 198 points (33 goals, 165 assists) in 937 career NHL regular-season games.

The seventh-round pick would change to a sixth-round selection if Hannan appears in the playoffs.

Bruins acquire Wade Redden from Blues, Rob Flick from Blackhawks

The Boston Bruins have acquired defenceman Wade Redden from the St. Louis Blues and centre Rob Flick from the Chicago Blackhawks.

The trades came before the NHL’s trade deadline Wednesday and one day after the Bruins obtained five-time NHL scoring champion wing Jaromir Jagr from the Dallas Stars.

Redden, who has played in 1,017 NHL games, was obtained for a conditional seventh-round draft pick next year that becomes a sixth-rounder if he plays in at least one game during this year’s playoffs. He as two goals and three assists in 23 games this season.

Flick was traded for forward Max Sauve in a deal involving AHL players. Flick has three goals, two assists and 97 penalty minutes for Rockford. Sauve has 10 goals and 13 assists for Providence.

Coyotes trade Matthew Lombardi to Ducks for Brandon McMillan

The Phoenix Coyotes have traded centre Matthew Lombardi to the Anaheim Ducks for left wing Brandon McMillan.

Lombardi returned to Phoenix this season after being traded from Toronto during training camp. He missed 12 games early in the season with an upper-body injury and didn’t provide the Coyotes with the scoring punch they had hoped.

Lombardi had four goals and four assists in 21 games with Phoenix and was a healthy scratch on March 25 against Detroit after failing to register a point in seven straight games.

McMillan played six games with the Ducks this season and had one assist. He had eight goals and five assists in 41 games with Norfolk of the AHL.

National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013

667964 Toronto Maple Leafs

Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo blames contract for slow trade talks

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 5:12 PM ET

Roberto Luongo said he was pulled aside because there were only 10 minutes left to the 3 p.m. ET deadline, and the team wanted him nearby, in case he needed to sign off on a deal.

After learning he had not been traded before the NHL-mandated deadline, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo stood behind a lectern and, with brutal honesty, blamed his long-term contract for preventing a deal: “I’d scrap it if I could, right now.”

Relive the NHL trade deadline

The 33-year-old has nine years remaining on a 12-year contract, carrying a cap hit of US$5.3-million through the 2021-22 season. He has been tied to trade speculation for months, long before the NHL ended its lockout in January.

And after the deadline passed Wednesday, he looked and sounded disappointed. He said he started getting “weird feelings” in his stomach, nerves, on Tuesday night. Luongo said it was the first time in the whole process that he felt that way.

The Canucks pulled him off the practice ice early, fuelling speculation that he had finally been moved. Luongo said he was pulled aside because there were only 10 minutes left to the 3 p.m. ET deadline, and the team wanted him nearby, in case he needed to sign off on a deal.

In a press conference with reporters, Luongo was asked what he viewed as the primary obstacle in facilitating a move.

“Uh,” he said, “my contract sucks. That’s what the problem is. Unfortunately, it’s a big factor in trading me, and it’s probably why I’m still here.”

Youtube

Luongo has a no-trade clause in his contract. He said he was never approached with a trade that he declined: “There were obviously some teams that were interested, and nothing ever really materialized to the point where I had to give a decision whether I was going to waive or not.”

My contract sucks. That’s what the problem is. Unfortunately, it’s a big factor in trading me, and it’s probably why I’m still here

Cory Schneider has become the team’s starting goaltender. Luongo has appeared in 16 games with the Canucks this season, winning in only seven. His save percentage (.904) and goals-against average (2.44) are both weaker than Schneider’s (.922 ands 2.27).

“Obviously, in the last couple of weeks, things have been a little bit emotionally tough for me, as far as where I’m going or whatnot,” Luongo said. “But now I can really make sure that I’m focusing on the right thing.”

National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013

667965 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs make a last-minute move at the deadline with Ryan O’Byrne

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 13/04/03 3:33 PM ET

The Leafs acquired Ryan O’Byrne in a deal with the Colorado Avalanche not long before the NHL trade deadline tolled at 3 p.m. ET.

An hour after telling a TSN reporter he did not expect his team to complete a last-second trade — before adding the addendum “that can change quickly” — Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis acquired a large defenceman who could fill out one of the team’s top two pairings.

As first reported by TSN, the Leafs acquired Ryan O’Byrne in a deal with the Colorado Avalanche not long before the NHL trade deadline tolled at 3 p.m. ET. The 28-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, with a cap hit of US$1.8-million this year.

O’Byrne averaged 18 minutes 51 seconds in 34 games with the Avalanche this season. He has one goal and three assists. According to TSN, the Leafs sent a fourth-round pick in next year’s draft to the Avalanche.

National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013

667966 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs are ‘not close to anything’ before NHL trade deadline

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 2:48 PM ET

Dave Nonis was also asked whether he was concerned at the prospect of heading into the stretch drive of the season with James Reimer and Ben Scrivens (pictured) in goal. Neither goaltender has experience in the NHL playoffs.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis does not expect the team to complete a trade before the deadline tolls on Wednesday afternoon.

“We’ve made a lot of calls, and we’ve fielded quite a few,” Nonis told TSN Wednesday, about an hour before the 3 p.m. ET deadline. “But it’s been pretty slow, at least to this point. There’s not a lot of movement, there’s not a lot of players available.”

There’s always going to be a flurry at the end. believe that will be the case again today. But again, we’re not close to anything.

Four trades had been completed to that point. According to the NHL, an average of about 22 trades had been completed on the previous 10 deadline days.

“There’s always going to be a flurry at the end,” Nonis told TSN. “I believe that will be the case again today. But again, we’re not close to anything.”

Nonis, who replaced Brian Burke as general manager on the eve of the lockout-shortened season, said the team was not shopping centre Tyler Bozak around the market. Bozak, 27, is in the final year of a contract that carries a cap hit of US$1.5-million.

“He’s been a good player for us,” Nonis said. “Unless we got a player back who would help us down the stretch, Tyler will be here. At the end of the day, we’ll see what makes sense, financially, in terms of a long-term deal for him.”

He was also asked whether he was concerned at the prospect of heading into the stretch drive of the season with James Reimer and Ben Scrivens in goal. Neither goaltender has experience in the NHL playoffs.

The Leafs had been tied to a possible trade with Calgary for veteran Miikka Kiprusoff, but the 36-year-old reportedly told the Flames he does not want to leave the team.

“It’s not a concern in that we think we have two quality NHL-calibre goaltenders,” Nonis told TSN. “We feel that they’ve played that way all year. They’ve done a good job, and they’re going to be with us for a long time.”

So what will the Leafs do before 3 p.m. ET?

“As we sit right now, I don’t see us doing anything,” he told TSN. “That can change quickly. Usually it does. There’s often something that happens in the last half-an-hour, at least something to think about. We’ll see what is put in front of us and make a decision at that time.”

National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013

667967 Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL trade deadline brings different mood for Leafs

Michael Traikos | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 1:53 PM ET

For Clarke MacArthur, this trade deadline feels a bit different if only because of the mood in the dressing room. In the past, the Leafs would normally be on the outside looking in at a playoff spot.

James Reimer shoved his skates in the bag and shouted, “My bags are packed.”

It was meant as a joke. As though the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender had just been traded. But as of noon — three hours before the NHL’s trade deadline went into effect — the entire roster was still intact.

And if many players inside the dressing room had their wish, it would remain that way.

The Leafs, who have won their last three games and have gone their last eight games without a loss in regulation time, are sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Left intact, they will likely make the playoffs.

That does not mean that they could not use an upgrade. The team lacks an experienced goaltender, depth on the backend and would benefit from another centre. But if management decides to sit quietly, the players would appreciate the message being sent.

“I feel personally that we’re pretty comfortable in this room and think that we could definitely make a run with the guys we have in this dressing rom who have been battling since Day 1,” said forward Nazem Kadri. “It’s always unfortunate when you have to move someone who gets you into this position.”

“It’s just a good group of guys,” forward Clarke MacArthur said of the Leafs. “We’ve been kind I’ve building this for the last two years. The team has had success. That being said, there’s a lot of work to be done here for the last 12 games or so. But it’s a good group here. A group we’d like to keep together.”

For MacArthur, this trade deadline feels a bit different if only because of the mood in the dressing room. In the past, the Leafs would normally be on the outside looking in at a playoff spot and would be in the process of dismantling the roster. Now, there appears to be optimism.

“It’s actually been real quite this year,” said MacArthur. “Usually it’s ‘dynamite the team’. It’s not as fun for you guys when we’re doing so well.

“There’s a lot of potential in the room here. And with the way we play, I think it would be a good playoff style.”

National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013

667968 Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL trade deadline: Miikka Kiprusoff will reportedly stay with Flames

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 12:00 PM ET

It was rumoured the Leafs might make a deal for Miikka Kiprusoff, but a new report says he is staying with the Flames this season.

Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff appears to have made the most impactful move of the NHL’s trade deadline day … by indicating he wants no part of a trade.

NHL trade deadline 2013 live: Tracking the latest deals

According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the 36-year-old is leaning toward remaining with the Flames. It has been widely reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs had spoken with him — or his representation, at least — about a potential contract extension after a trade.

His apparent decision to remain in Calgary shifts the focus back to where it began when the lockout-shortened season opened in January. Vancouver Canucks veteran goaltender Roberto Luongo is still on the market, though his contract situation diminishes his value to a team like the Leafs.

Kiprusoff only has one year left on his six-year deal. And since it was a back-diving deal, it would only pay him US$1.5-million next year. According to capgeek.com, Kiprusoff does not have a no-trade clause in his deal, but his leverage came from the threat he would not report to a team that acquired his rights, unless he gave prior consent.

Luongo is a different case. The 33-year-old has nine years remaining on his contract, which carries an annual cap hit of US$5.3-million.

“We’re on a three-game winning streak and the team is playing well,” Leafs assistant general manager Claude Loiselle said on Tuesday. “The guys are feeling good about themselves. And so, absolutely, there’s no urgency to do anything.”

Both Toronto regulars, James Reimer and Ben Scrivens, have a better save-percentage than Kiprusoff and Luongo. With the Leafs on the verge of ending their long playoff drought, the concern related more to their overall lack of experience.

The guys are feeling good about themselves. And so, absolutely, there’s no urgency to do anything

Barring a move for Luongo — which seems like a long-shot at this point — Reimer and Scrivens will likely get their playoff experience this spring. (Scrivens was asked about the rumours on Tuesday, about how Kiprusoff’s name seemed to have replaced Luongo’s as the dominant topic of speculation.)

“I guess that newspaper story wasn’t selling as well, so they had to switch up the face,” he said with a smile. “Honestly, we can’t control any of that stuff. And my answer was the same over the summer: All I can control, personally, is what I do on the ice.”

National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013

667969 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs pin hopes on young goalies after relatively quiet trade deadline

Michael Traikos | 13/04/03 | Last Updated: 13/04/03 7:09 PM ET

TORONTO — It was not exactly a vote of confidence. More like a lukewarm endorsement.

In an ideal world, the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to add a goaltender at Wednesday’s NHL trade deadline. Not to necessarily replace James Reimer or Ben Scrivens, but to augment the inexperienced duo. They had received permission to talk with Calgary’s Miikka Kiprusoff and tried desperately to convince him to waive his no-trade clause. They reportedly talked again to Vancouver about acquiring Roberto Luongo.

The best of the NHL trade deadline

But by the time the 3 p.m. ET deadline rolled around, Toronto’s only move was bringing in 28-year-old depth defenceman Ryan O’Byrne from Colorado in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in 2014. And so, with 13 games remaining and the team sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, the Leafs will continue with most of the same group that got them this far.

“Nothing changed at all,” general manager Dave Nonis said in a news conference at Air Canada Centre. “I know there was a big deal about goaltending. There always has been in this marketplace. The benefit of bringing Miikka Kiprusoff in would have been we weren’t moving any one of our goalies out. And we always said that if we could get some veteran presence to help these guys along and give them some experience and some tips, that it would have been an ideal situation.

“I had that discussion with Miikka directly. I think that part of him was excited about that, and part of his apprehension was not having his heart in it 100% and coming here and letting us down. That was the direction we wanted to head.”

Instead, a 25-year-old (Reimer) and a 26-year-old (Scrivens) with a combined 123 NHL games and zero NHL playoff experience will lead the team.

That might not be necessarily a bad thing. Reimer, who has won his last three games and has not lost in regulation in his last seven starts, has a better save percentage (.920) this season than Luongo (.904) and Kiprusoff (.868) and as many wins (13) as both combined.

“We’re happy with the goaltending,” Nonis said. “We have two quality goaltenders. We’re not trying to move one of them out. We wanted to add to that group. But if we couldn’t, those guys have earned the right to play.

“[Reimer is] still a young goaltender. It’s not about his ability. We’re fine with his ability. His play has been exceptional. It was just about getting him some experience to help him. There was nothing more to it than that.”

We have two quality goaltenders. We’re not trying to move one of them out. We wanted to add to that group. But if we couldn’t, those guys have earned the right to play

While the Leafs were unable to add that experience in net, the team beefed up its blue line with the acquisition of O’Byrne. The 6-foot-5 and 240-pound defenceman, who ranks second on the Avalanche in hits and is fourth in blocked shots, has appeared in 19 playoff games.

“He’s going to be one of our eight defencemen,” said Nonis, who added that O’Byrne would likely play on the second defensive pairing alongside former Avalanche teammate John-Michael Liles, Mike Kostka or Jake Gardiner. “He’s not going to come in here and take over our defensive corps. He’s a defensive defenceman. We feel he can play with good players.”

It was a small move. But for where this team is, both in terms of age and in the standings, it was probably the right one.

Nonis said that this is the first year in his Leafs tenure in which the club is in playoff mode as opposed to selling off players for draft picks. At the same time, he knows that the team is not one or two pieces away from contending for the Stanley Cup. So the plan was to try to add some depth without disrupting the current lineup or giving away the future.

“I didn’t see a blockbuster,” Nonis of the trade landscape available to him. “I think everyone that made some deals made some modest improvements. And that’s all that was available to most teams.

“The message [to the Leafs] is: We’re happy with their play. They’ve put us in a good position.”

National Post LOADED: 04.04.2013

667970 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs make a last-minute move at the deadline with Ryan O’Byrne

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 13/04/03 3:33 PM ET

An hour after telling a TSN reporter he did not expect his team to complete a last-second trade — before adding the addendum “that can change quickly” — Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis acquired a large defenceman who could fill out one of the team’s top two pairings.

As first reported by TSN, the Leafs acquired Ryan O’Byrne in a deal with the Colorado Avalanche not long before the NHL trade deadline tolled at 3 p.m. ET. The 28-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, with a cap hit of US$1.8-million this year.