TSN’s Darren Dreger is reporting that the Toronto Maple Leafs are waiting for results on the severity of an injury that forced goaltender Anthony Stolarz from last night’s game. The 30-year-old Stolarz has had a torrid start to his first season in Toronto, going 9-5-2 with a 2.15 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage. Stolarz is currently ranked sixth in the NHL in goals saved above expected with 9.3 (as per Money Puck).
Stolarz’s injury has forced Toronto to recall netminder Dennis Hildeby from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. Hildeby will presumably take on a backup role to Joseph Woll during Stolarz’s absence. Hildeby has seen action in two NHL games this season, going 1-1 with 4.03 goals against and a .869 save percentage.
In other Atlantic Division notes:
- Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff benched two of his top players on Wednesday night as the team dropped their eighth straight game (as per Bill Hoppe of Buffalo Hockey Beat). Ruff sat defenseman Owen Power and winger JJ Peterka for significant stretches of the game after they made crucial mistakes. Both players responded well, with Power scoring a goal in the third period of the game. The Sabres sit sixth in the Atlantic with a record of 11-14-4 but hold a goal differential of just -8. They have lost six one-goal games in their eight-game skid.
- Speaking of the Sabres, Darren Dreger reported on TSN’s Insider Trading yesterday that Buffalo’s general manager Kevyn Adams is looking to make moves to shake up his roster but might not find a desirable move. Adams is receiving calls on younger players like Jack Quinn but doesn’t appear likely to force a move like that. The Sabres would like to make a trade that helps them now, but if they continue to slide it does appear that they will miss the playoffs once again. Should that happen, it would likely mean that veterans on expiring deals, such as Jason Zucker would be moved.
If Buffalo keeps sliding then Zucker isn’t the big name to watch. Alex Tuch is going to be the subject of conversation then. Tuch has one more year after this season on a contract of $4.75m AAV which is a steal of a deal for a player of his production. Tuch has to be potential mover as he’s now in the early start of his prime years. Also, Jordan Greenway could be another individual that could be on the move come the trade deadline being on an expiring contract that’s on the cheap end of $3m AAV.
It’s also tuchs hometown team. Would probably be willing to take a discount on the next contract. Otherwise yeah PPG players that can play physical have a lot of value. But they already have the cap space to go after a marner this summer if they really wanted to.
For what Greenway gives you – that’s not a cheap side contract!!! Even if 50% retained some teams won’t be able to add him.
I like Greenway. For around his current cap hit he is not a bad bottom 6 player.
Actually, Greenway’s contract is on par with his value. Last year, he produced 28 points which is on target of his point value based on his AAV contract which is what a player’s point production rate must achieve. He’s unfortunately, has dealt with injuries which has hampered his production in various seasons (including this year). Greenway is an admirable bottom 6 player overall though.
The question with Tuch is does he feel Buffalo has the capabilities to contend as a playoff team going forward. It’s skeptical but only he can answer that for himself. But looking at how things have been going for Buffalo, they haven’t been able to produce the right pieces to conform a competitive roster to consistently compete for playoff contention.
Does Tuch want to be with a competitive franchise or does he possibly waste it on a franchise that is his hometown team but can’t seem to get it together quite honestly as an organization. Only time will tell.
Buffalo doesn’t need more 1st round draft picks. Another veteran is what Buffalo really needs. Tuch can be moved at the trade deadline next season if no extension is made. Cozens to Anaheim for Zegras & Trouba makes sense.
Trouba is the type of player they should be looking for – maybe not him specifically given his recent issues, but a hard-hitting defenseman who clears the front of the net and elevates the team. Zegras, not sure what he is at this point, other than oft-injured.
Anaheim is interested in extending Trouba over the summer. I don’t think he’s going to be available anymore.
Cozens gives Anaheim something that Zegras doesn’t- durability & signed long term (#2C). For Buffalo Zegras gives them scoring potential & clears up long term cap space (Byrum extension?).
Granato did not help the young Sabres development with his lack of 2 way game coaching. They played a loose transitional game under Granato & finished with winning records the last 2 seasons based on talent. 1 goal losses during this skid. 3 OT/SO losses. Sabres already have had 3 3 game winning streaks. They didn’t get their first one last season until February. Ruff is benching players for poor play. He is getting them to learn to play a aggressive 2 way game. Going to Europe during training camp also didn’t help matters. They played most of the top Western conference teams during this skid. Patience.
Patience???? Just stop already. It’s going on 14yrs. 8 game losing streak & nobody has the answers, including Ruff who was a “good feel” hire.
Stop with the 14 year crap. The 2 previous GMs failed to build anything that stayed together more than 3 to 4 years (core pieces). Once Reiger/Ruff was fired a “tank” ensued. ROR, Rhino, Risto, Lerhner, Baby Jack etc all tapped out on the Sabres within 4 years. So far this current young core has not said a peep of wanting out. Granato did nothing in terms of coaching a 2 way physical style.
It may be more of an organizational issue than just the coach. Someone on NHL Radio yesterday said that Ruff’s hiring was entirely to placate fans and buy time, rather than develop players further and that Ruff’s time as top caliber NHL coach had already passed.
That said, Montreal had all the time in the world to waltz into the offensive zone unfettered and call their shots. Owen Power is a bust. Yes, he can skate and poke check, but those aren’t skills worth $8M/per for a defenseman. Zero snarl and zero net front presence. It’s amazing that two of the smallest guys on the team in Clifton and Benson are the only two with any physicality to their games. Thompson used to play a lot harder but seems to be gun-shy since his injury last year. And don’t get me started again on UPL giving up the first goal of the game.
*6 1 goal losses during this skid.