There are several updates regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs in today’s NHL rumors. Did Ondrej Kase just hint that he’s leaving? Will there be room for Rasmus Sandin? Have the Leafs spoken to Jack Campbell about an extension yet?
Meanwhile, what’s the latest on the Calgary Flames and Matthew Tkachuk’s status? Finally, are the Edmonton Oilers hoping the league will see a slightly controversial Game 2 hit?
Ondrej Kase says “Thank you”
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman suggests in his recent 32 thought column for not reading too much into an Instagram post. Friedman says fans were surprised when Ondrej Kase seemed to imply he might leave the team, Friedman says that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case.
He notices:
“Toronto supporters were puzzled by an Instagram post from Ondrej Kase thanking Maple Leafs fans and taking it as an indication he may be leaving. It’s premature, I think talks are ongoing, but it’s not wrong to think that the team would be spooked by an arbitration in a tight-ceiling situation.”
Questions about where Rasmus Sandin fits
Friedman also notes, “There’s no doubt Rasmus Sandin will receive a qualifying offer from Toronto, but is less certain how things will play out for him.” He spoke about Sandin playing well until an injury knocked things out , and how Jake Muzzin proved in the end that he could still contribute in the postseason. There’s a deadlock with Muzzin, Sandin, Morgan Rielly, Mark Giordano and TJ Brodie all on the same page, and “Toronto’s cap situation doesn’t offer Sandin contract space,” he explains.
Related: Is It Time For Maple Leafs’ Wayne Simmonds To Hang Up His Skates?
The Maple Leafs may have to decide which player (Muzzin or Sandin) is more important to them or offers the best return in a pending trade.
No contract talks with Campbell
As for netminder Jack Campbell, Friedman reports that there have been no contract talks in months and the two sides have been far apart. Campbell’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, says there have been “no significant contract talks since the end of the season.”
What exactly does that mean? Are the Maple Leafs just waiting? Do you have someone else in mind? Are they trying to make Campbell feel like they’re in absolutely no rush to sign him and that he needs to make the first move to signal he wants to stay? There aren’t many options for the Leafs in the goaltender market once they’ve decided to walk away from a Campbell extension.
The latest on Flames and Tkachuk
Sportsnet’s Eric Francis took another look at the Calgary situation involving Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau and, when it came to Tkachuk, said it was almost certain the Flames and the forward would strike a one-year deal this summer . Although Tkachuk said he was open to a long-term contract extension, Francis argued, “I only see this if the Flames lose Gaudreau and need to up the ante to make sure Tkachuk doesn’t go for nothing too. ”
Francis believes Tkachuk will accept his $9 million qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent after next season. Saying that Tkachuk comes from a long line of accomplished negotiators and that the Flames could prioritize Gaudreau, it’s unrealistic to think both long-term deals will happen this summer.
Oilers want to suspend Landeskog?
The Edmonton Oilers want the league to take a closer look at a hit that took Kailer Yamamoto out of Game 2. In the review, the chief point of contact was the chief. It’s not my call. I don’t referee the games.” He added: “My job is to coach, not to call. I am sure that the necessary people in the league will look at this goal.”
The goal wasn’t necessarily late since Yamamoto had just touched the puck, but if the Oilers forward was in a vulnerable position and Landeskog hit him in the head, the league won’t like it. Could he sit for a game? If so, it would help the Oilers, who desperately need to win Game 3 at home on Saturday.
The chances that the league sees are not high.
Jim Parsons is a senior freelance THW writer, part-time journalist, and audio/video host who lives, eats, sleeps, and breathes NHL news and rumor while also writing features about the Edmonton Oilers. He’s been a trusted source at The Hockey Writers for more than five years, but beyond that, his mission is to keep readers up to date with the latest NHL gossip and tech talk. Jim is a daily must-read for readers who want to be “in the loop.”
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