In case you missed it, all hell broke loose around the NHL on Tuesday.
Honestly, it felt like Trade Deadline Day all over again.
That’s where the conversation started on the Wednesday edition of Leafs Morning Take, as David Pagnotta filled in for Jay Rosehill as co-host once again. From Bowen Byram to Jordan Kyrou to Simon Nemec to William Eklund, some of the biggest names on the trade market all found new homes in a wild day across the league. With the draft just days away, the floodgates appear to be open. Prices remain sky-high, but teams are clearly willing to pay them. It’s created the perfect storm heading into one of the busiest stretches of the NHL calendar, and all signs point to plenty more action still to come.
After that, Pagnotta weighed in on what could be next for John Chayka and the Maple Leafs. He reported that it’s unlikely Jake McCabe or Oliver Ekman-Larsson will be moved, which shifts the focus to Morgan Rielly and Brandon Carlo. Phil Myers is another name worth monitoring.As for Rielly, Pagnotta indicated that Vancouver is not a preferred destination. He pointed to San Jose and Anaheim as potential landing spots, while also wondering whether Los Angeles could emerge as a fit.
Also, we hit on that ridiculous Mike Babcock press conference in Edmonton. From the Oilers’ perspective, it was probably a good day to unveil that storyline with so much trade activity happening around the league. That said, it didn’t sound like Babcock has changed much at all. Accountability still seemed to be in short supply. One thing’s for sure: regardless of how it unfolds, Edmonton is going to be one of the most fascinating teams to follow all season long.
Meantime, The Sheet’s Jeff Marek stopped by for a draft week primer, and as expected, there was no shortage of ground to cover. From the latest trade buzz around Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars to whether a player like Roman Josi could make sense for Toronto, Marek offered plenty of food for thought as the NHL Draft approaches. He also touched on Alex DeBrincat’s future in Detroit and, unsurprisingly, made it clear that he would be shocked if the Maple Leafs don’t select Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick on Friday night.
Lots more coming your way on the Thursday edition of Leafs Morning Take as Pagnotta will be back in the co-host’s chair once again. Talk then!