Boston Bruins seek scoring winger
NBC Sports: Joe Haggerty reports the Boston Bruins need a high-impact scoring winger, Haggerty suggests Carolina’s Jeff Skinner, Columbus’ Artemi Panarin, Philadelphia’s Wayne Simmonds, Edmonton’s Milan Lucic or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Minnesota’s Jason Zucker and Ottawa’s Bobby Ryan as possible trade targets. Haggerty proposes the Bruins dangle puck-moving defenseman Torey Krug as trade bait, but it could cost DeBrusk or Charlie McAvoy as part of the deal to acquire one of those players on his list.
Where will Patrick Maroon sign?
The Score: The St. Louis Blues are reportedly closing in on an agreement with Patrick Maroon. However, a deal hasn’t been signed yet, and the New Jersey Devils and Arizona Coyotes are showing interest in the hulking winger, reports Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic. Maroon’s agent, Ben Hankinson, confirmed to The Athletic’s Michael Russo that the Minnesota Wild have shown interest, too. But cap space is an issue for the Wild, making a Maroon signing unlikely. Cap concerns aren’t a problem in New Jersey ($23 million) or Arizona ($14.8 million), meaning a deal with either club could come together easily. Maroon, a St. Louis native, might take a hometown discount. That would help the Blues, as with just $5 million in cap space and restricted free-agent defenseman Joel Edmundson needing a new contract, dollars are tight in St. Louis.
Who will be the Toronto Maple Leafs next Captain?
TSN: The Toronto Maple Leafs have not had a captain since Dion Phaneuf was dealt to the Ottawa Senators in 2016. Many believe Auston Matthews will step into the role after getting a few seasons under his belt. However, John Tavares – who served as captain of the New York Islanders for five seasons – could now be in line to assume the captaincy instead. It’s a dilemma likely being overblown in Toronto. Bobby Orr, whose agency represents Matthews, said the 20-year-old isn’t worried about who will be named captain.
“The team is going to be a little different,” Orr told reporters, according to TSN. “A very good team with JT there and he is thrilled. Again, this bull about being upset about this and being upset about that, the captaincy. That’s so wrong, shouldn’t be happening. They are a good team, they are going to be a very good team and John puts them closer to their goal and that’s what Auston is concerned about.”
