Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!
It has been a busy, busy, week and it's not going to slow down anytime soon.
There have been trades, and rumors galore and I credit this to one thing, and one thing only: The NHL Awards and Entry Draft are being hosted in the same city, days apart.
NHL General Managers, front office employees, media members, and so many others are gathered together in the same place for a week. In a place famous for bars, parties, and nightlife! People have no choice but to be around each other, talking, gabbing, drinking, talking too loudly, reporters overhearing things. It's wonderful. I love it. Make it happen every year.
Logistically it can be an easy week as well. You're already building one stage, why not make it easily changeable so you can have the awards then the draft in the same building? The star players are here already, so they can help out making draft pick announcements or talk to recently selected prospects.
With no host for the 2024 NHL Draft announced yet, there is plenty of time to find a place that can do both and keep the party going.
Here's some of that news I've been talking about.
Montreal paid a hefty price for a pick that wasn't panning out in Colorado.
To Montreal: Alex Newhook
To Colorado: Gianni Fairbrother, 2023 1st & 2nd round picks
The Winnipeg Jets* completed a sign and trade with the Los Angeles Kings.
To Winnipeg: Gabriel Vilardi, Rasmus Kupari, Alex Iafallo, 2024 2nd round pick.
To Los Angeles: Pierre-Luc Dubois
The Flames decided not to rebuild.
To Calgary: Yegor Sharangovich, 2023 3rd round pick
To New Jersey: Tyler Toffoli
The Devils didn't stop, sending middling goalie Blackwood out west.
To New Jersey: 2023 6th round pick
To San Jose: Mackenzie Blackwood
Flyers dump salary in what was a long drawn out trade.
To Philadelphia: 2024 6th round pick
To St. Louis: Kevin Hayes
We also kept busy around here.
Obvious news, I guess.
If they're cheap, sure?
Prepare for tonight.
There's a new charity program out for the NHL.
But will they?
The new GM is trying to do the hard things first.
Okay folks, we have a long day of rumors, innuendo, and trades coming up. Stay alert, and watch for fake tweets.
Enjoy your day!
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