Maple Leafs in talks with Pietrangelo
20 minutes ago
"General manager Kyle Dubas confirmed Friday that he has spoken with Alex Pietrangelo's agent, Don Meehan, as the Toronto Maple Leafs explore the possibility of adding the most coveted UFA of the class.
""We have flexibility. It's just a matter of how big a splash we want to make," said Dubas, who signed Wayne Simmonds earlier in the day.
Paying for such an expensive defenceman long-term could be cap-restrictive for the Maple Leafs down the road, especially with the salary cap remaining flat for an undetermined number of years.
"We have to be mindful of that as we navigate these waters," Dubas warned.
Dubas made his pitch to Meehan but has not spoken yet with Pietrangelo directly. Dubas want details of those talks to remain private.
No team currently spends more of its budget on forwards, so bringing in such a big fish would necessitate another move.
Dubas is hoping to help sell potential free agents on the chance to win with a talented offensive group.
The Maple Leafs are still looking to upgrade the right side of their defence and add sandpaper to their bottom six, and Dubas believes options for that still exist in free agency and trade.
“We’re trying to remain as patient and as flexible as possible,” Dubas said.
The Vegas Golden Knights are also among those gunning for Pietrangelo, and the St. Louis Blues cannot be ruled out either."
-Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford)
October 9, 2020