Things got a little crazy on Twitter last night when Pittsburgh Penguins beat reporter Rob Rossi (@RobRossi_Trib) posted this little number:
#TribHKY An update on the #LetangWatch will post on site around midnight. #pens #leafs
— Rob Rossi (@RobRossi_Trib) June 27, 2013
Rossi was called onto TSN 1050 Radio almost immediately after tweeting this info, and asked to clarify. He said that he is unaware of the Leafs and Pens having any kind of conversation about Letang, but that IF Letang were to be moved (mostly for cap/value reasons), the defender would most like to come to Toronto. Huh. Sounds like rumour mongering to me, but it's a compelling idea, nonetheless.
Memories of last season's Draft Day really spur this rumour on. Jordan Staal wanted to go to Carolina when the Penguins couldn't fit the salary he was sure to get on the open market into their long term plans, and it's a similar situation with Letang. Moreover, The Leafs could offer a young D man to replace Letang at a fraction of the cost (Jake Gardiner or Morgan Rielly), could provide Pittsburgh with a goalie (Reimer or Bernier, but probably Reimer), but the Pens supposedly also would want a 1st rounder on top of two roster players. Steep. Rossi never mentioned what kind of two players the Penguins might be looking for, but it's clear they could use some help in goal, and puck-moving defencemen are good to have around, so it makes a certain amount of sense.
Let's try not to get too crazy.
Are you comfortable with Nonis steering the ship?
Michael Langlois wonders if there is much difference between Burke and Nonis' respective approaches to the game.
Blackhawks Stanley Cup bar crawl
Some good photos emerge. Ah, life in the digital age!
Kevin Shattenkirk agrees to 4-year, $17 million extension with Blues
Sean Leahy has the story and some analysis.
Unsung Hero: Five of the most unheralded playoff stars
...in the eyes of Harrison Mooney.
Which NHL teams employ "zone matching" the most?
This article is a couple days old, but if you haven't seen it, it's an interesting idea from Cam Charron.
The Friends with Numbers Podcast: Stanley Cup Final Recap
They discuss the Bernier trade as well.
Profiling the NHL’s 2013 draft class: The Top 10
From James Mirtle.
Down Goes Brown: Other hidden NHL injuries revealed
Only one Leaf on the list!
Backhand Shelf Podcast
You've heard them before.
