The Trade Someone Now channel had this discussion yesterday:

McKenzie again reiterated the thing he’s said in multiple locations that the Leafs are telling all callers they are not trading William Nylander. All the insiders think there are talks going on with Kyle Dubas and Nylander’s agent. And yet, the fantasy trading will not be stopped.

You likely saw Kypreos’s tweet:

The TSN insiders are disputing his AAV guess, not that talks are grinding to a conclusion or that term might be back on the table.

Interesting side note that Patrik Laine and Mikko Rantanen have the same agent (as does Vlad Tarasenko) and he doesn’t like to negotiate until an ELC is over, so both of those players will be in the contract mill next summer.

Some snarky reporter RT’d this:

and then dug up Eronko’s old tweet where he confirms Nylander’s KHL rights are held by that team. Very droll.

Versteeg has matched his NHL goal total from last year in 11 games, has 5 total points, is playing around 16 minutes per game, and shooting the lights out at over 3 SOG per game, which is a lot for the KHL.  I think someone has noticed he’s healthy now.

He should have to go through entry waivers though, so it will be interesting to see what sort of deal he’s offered and by whom.

The Marlies played last night, and the sneaky sneaks snuck Rasmus Sandin out in warmup.

He didn’t play, but we have to think a game is coming up soon. That does not guarantee he’ll stay the season in Toronto, and reports that Sheldon Keefe said that are premature.  He may go back to Rögle, he may not.

We’ll have a recap of that game later on. It was really exciting! Honest.

No, the Leafs don’t have to trade Nylander to save their salary cap. They can do literally anything else. - Pension Plan Puppets
Rival GM’s hate him: how Kyle Dubas can fit Nylander, Matthews and Marner under the cap with this one weird trick!

Toronto Maple Leafs to open 2019/20 training camp in St John’s - Pension Plan Puppets
The Leafs will also host a pre-season game at the Growlers’ Mile One Centre

Pontus Holmberg to play in WJC prep tournament - Pension Plan Puppets
Only a few months ago, he was on the "C" team, but he has earned a longer look from Sweden’s coach.

Exhibition game against Senators will highlight Toronto Maple Leafs' 2019 stay in St. John's | Hockey | Sports | The Telegram
Nearly two decades after its training camp at Mile One was cancelled, Toronto officially announces plans for a pre-season visit

Goalie Watch

Michal Neuvirth is supposedly ready to play. The Flyers could send him to the AHL on a conditioning loan like the Hurricanes have done with Scott Darling. Within a couple of weeks both teams might be looking to decide which of three goalies to keep. With Jonathan Quick and Corey Crawford back in the net, there isn’t a team desperate for another goalie right now.

But will the Leafs snatch back one of their old players and then send them to the AHL if they can? It would seem like the smart move.

That’s your links for the day, I asked around the masthead, and no one had much to add, so add yours in comments. We’ll have a preview up around noon or earlier if we know the lines for tonight’s game. Oh, yeah! There’s a game tonight. It seems like it’s been a week since the Pittsburgh game, the last time the Leafs played.

From The Branches