Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! The trade deadline is getting closer and closer and teams are knowing where they stand. Although, some teams have a dilemma regarding setting their lineups. Today we focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: Chris Johnston highlights the latest situation concerning Maple Leafs Forward Ryan Reaves
The Toronto Maple Leafs brought in many players to fulfill the toughness role on the team. Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi bring that element to their games but are also more skilled and can chip in on the offensive side of things. However, the biggest addition for toughness came with the signing of Ryan Reaves. Reaves bounced around between the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild and landed a three-year contract via free agency. However, this is a player that has not sniffed the lineup and Johnston is curious how this can get resolved.
Injuries happen all the time and when a guy goes out it gives other players the opportunity to play. Reaves suffered a lower-body injury and has been out of the lineup since December 14. However, he is reportedly healthy according to Johnston, but the team has left him on injured reserve.
Reaves is a veteran in this league, and you have to imagine that frustration has set in. In a perfect world he would be in the lineup, but the team has other ideas. This is the first year of a three-year contract and unless an injury occurs, he may still remain out of the lineup.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Rumour: Darren Dreger on Insider Trading touches on the names available for the Blue Jackets
The next set of NHL Rumours keeps us in the Eastern Conference. We turn our attention to the Metropolitan Division. It has been chaotic in that division and the margin for error is minimal. One team that has fallen out of that race is the Columbus Blue Jackets. Despite that, the Blue Jackets have tremendous young players which will be fun to watch for years to come. However, there are players that are garnering attention that the team will listen on.
The players that are on the list according to Dreger are Patrik Laine and Ivan Provorov. Columbus also has been fielding calls for Captain Boone Jenner but the odds of moving him are slim. He is a valuable piece and a tremendous leader but has a great contract that entices contending teams. Provorov is an interesting case, especially since the team just acquired him via trade this past summer. Provorov is fifth on the team in points (23) and has four goals.
Laine would be a great piece for a contending team. He is a good presence up front and has a lethal shot. This season has not gone well for Laine, as he has nine points in 18 games. Injuries have gotten the best of him, but he is huge for any team needing a scoring punch.
It has been tough for Columbus, and they will be a team to monitor at the trade deadline.
Main Photo: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
