If Flames are open for business, are Maple Leafs in on key player

Are the Maple Leafs interested in a key player if the Flames are open for business? If the Flames are open for business, could the Toronto Maple Leafs be on the lookout?

The Leafs and Flares have been connected in exchange talks the entire season for two or three reasons, specifically in light of the fact that Calgary has the sort of defencemen who could help the Leafs blueline, and every one of them used to play for Toronto GM Brad Treliving when he ran that club up until the previous spring.

Like Zadorov — and Flares defenceman Noah Hanifin, so far as that is concerned — Tanev is qualified to turn into an unlimited free specialist in July. Friedman also said that he wasn’t sure how hard Toronto would try to find pure rentals because the team has only won five games in regulation this season. All things considered, Tanev’s forthcoming UFA status could convey somewhat of a bullet according to Treliving.

“He’s a Toronto fellow, Treliving marked him (in Calgary), I bet you he’ll have a smart thought of what it will take to keep him (in Toronto),” Friedman said on the 32 Contemplations webcast. ” Even if they acquire him as a rental, I believe Toronto will be fairly confident that they can keep him, so that’s the one man I think Toronto will fight hard to acquire. However, we’ll see.”

Tanev, a right-handed defenseman who turns 34 on December 20, has a cap hit of $4.5 million before any potential salary retention. The Leafs blueline is ailing, with Imprint Giordano, Timothy Liljegren and John Klingberg all sidelined with wounds.

Tanev, in the mean time, exhibited only this week why various groups could be keen on his administrations. On Monday, he appeared to be out for a while after taking a puck to the face during a game against Vegas. However, there was a No. 8 on Thursday, scoring his first goal of the season and returning to the lineup against the Dallas Stars.

It just so happened that the Flames won both of those games against Dallas and Vegas in overtime. After a terrible beginning to the season, Calgary has come around and is pushing once more into the season finisher race.

That could provoke some to contemplate whether the Flares — who likewise have a major forthcoming UFA front and center in focus Elias Lindholm — will slow down any exchange talk. Friedman, on the other hand, is of the opinion that the Zadorov deal indicates that Calgary is still prepared to receive substantial offers. These offers may be enhanced by the fact that the Flames still possess all three salary-retention slots after sending Zadorov to Vancouver with his full ticket.

“They’re in the race, they’ve played quite well, they’re close to the trump card spots and I think a few groups felt that implied [maybe] the Blazes will stand by,” Friedman said. ” This is a signal that they are not interested in doing business with you; if you want to talk to them and listen to what they have to say, you better pick up the phone and call.