Sergei Bobrovsky may not have been in Toronto long, but he is already sounding like a player whose voice carries real weight in the room. Elliotte Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts Podcast that the veteran goaltender does not speak often, but when he does, people pay attention.
“I’ve heard has become one of the biggest voices in that room, that when he talks, mountains move,” Friedman said.
Auston Matthews also had strong praise for the two-time Stanley Cup champion, calling it an “absolute treat” to have Bobrovsky around. Matthews highlighted the goalie’s professionalism, preparation and experience as the things that have stood out most so far.
That kind of presence is exactly what a Maple Leafs team chasing a bigger step forward would want from a veteran addition.
In Columbus, the Adam Fantilli situation is still unresolved, and the Blue Jackets have now gone four straight days of training camp without the 21-year-old. Fantilli is coming off a career-best season that produced 24 goals and 59 points, which makes this one of the biggest restricted free-agent holdouts left on the board.
Darren Dreger said both sides are leaning on comparable contracts in their negotiations, though he does not see real bad blood between Fantilli, agent Pat Brisson and the Blue Jackets. His expectation is that a deal will get done before the regular season starts.
Friedman pointed to Cutter Gauthier’s recent contract as something that could actually help Columbus more than Fantilli in the market-setting process. The size of that deal gives the Blue Jackets another reference point as they try to pin down Fantilli’s next number.
Another Columbus name drawing attention is Kirill Marchenko, and the trade talk around him comes with a big catch: the next contract. Dreger said the acquisition cost could already be steep, and teams interested in Marchenko would also have to be comfortable with a deal that could land around $12 million per season.
That kind of price tag changes the picture for teams like the Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens, all of whom already have major money tied up elsewhere.
Friedman added that Columbus may want to see Fantilli’s contract situation resolved before seriously moving Marchenko. The Blue Jackets could also have to take salary back in any deal, which makes it even more important that they do not create another cap headache.
There is also a sense that Columbus may simply wait and see once the season opens before making a final call. “Depending on who you talk to, you get different opinions on wether or not Columbus really wants to do this and especially now. I think most people believe that Columbus wants to start the season and go and then decide what they want to do…”
Meanwhile, Kevin Hayes has brought an abrupt close to his playing career. The former NHL forward announced his retirement after appearing in just five games for Kazan Ak-Bars in the KHL.
Hayes had signed with the club after failing to land an NHL deal over the offseason, but his time there was short-lived. He finished with no points and a minus-one rating before deciding to step away from the game.
“I have decided to end my hockey career,” Hayes said in a statement released through the KHL. “I can no longer play at the level I am capable of because my body does not allow me to perform at my best. And I cannot accept not being in top form.”
It is a sudden ending for Hayes, whose professional hockey run is now over.
In Other News...
Leafs Already Have An Early Regret Watching Two Ex-Forwards Shine
Nick Robertson is already making an early impression in Pittsburgh, and it comes against the backdrop of a move that felt overdue in Toronto. The former Maple Leafs winger scored his first goal with the Penguins in a preseason game, a reminder that his speed and finish can still pop when he gets the right runway. For a Leafs club that has spent plenty of time trying to sort out its depth and identity on the wing, seeing a familiar name settle in quickly elsewhere is the kind of small development that gets noticed.
Matias Maccelli has done the same with the Islanders after signing a one-year contract, piling up three points in his preseason debut. He, too, is showing the sort of early chemistry and creativity that made him an intriguing fit before his time with Toronto ended. The Leafs are only in the opening stages of a new season, but watching two former forwards start strong in new uniforms is the sort of reminder that roster decisions can linger far beyond training camp. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs May Have Found The Blue Line Balance They Need
The Maple Leafs are still in the stage where the blue line is more puzzle than finished product, but the pieces are starting to make sense. Jake McCabe and Chris Tanev look like the kind of steady, defense-first pairing that can handle tough minutes, while Morgan Rielly alongside Darren Raddysh offers a different sort of balance with more puck movement and support from the back end.
What remains unsettled is the third pair, and that is where Torontos depth chart still feels open to interpretation. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Troy Stecher, Emil Andrae and Nick Blankenburg are all in the mix as the Leafs sort through options, and with time still left before the season, the club can keep weighing fit, role and chemistry before locking in its final look. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Blue Line Battle Just Got More Serious
The Maple Leafs are tightening the screws on their blue line as training camp moves toward opening night, putting defensemen Cole McWard and Dakota Mermis on waivers while they trim the roster ahead of the upcoming NHL season. Mermis saw action in 11 games for Toronto last year, while McWard arrived as a free agent signing this summer, and both had been part of the group fighting for a role in the teams defensive depth.
The move is another sign that the back end is still very much up for grabs, with several players competing for the limited spots available. Toronto still has decisions to make before the lineup is finalized, and these waiver moves suggest the margins are getting thinner by the day for anyone hoping to stick. [Read more 🡒]