The Leafs and Flames couldn't agree on compensation that would have included retaining the salary of both players.
The Leafs and Flames couldn't agree on compensation that would have included retaining the salary of both players.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are continuing their search to add a defenseman.
In the latest '32 Thoughts' segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman added to Kevin Weekes' report from earlier in the week about Toronto's bid to try to acquire Flames defensemen Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev.
"From what I understand, the issue here is that the Maple Leafs and Flames could not agree on what it would cost for Calgary to keep up to 50 percent of the salary of both players," Friedman said. "I don’t know what the exact percentage was that Toronto asked, it was up to 50 percent, and the two sides couldn’t figure out that compensation in addition to just the compensation for the players."
The Flames ended up trading Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a fifth-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft. The Flames did not retain any of Zadorov's $3.75 million cap hit in the deal.
Although the Leafs didn't get Zadorov, they remain interested in landing the Toronto-born Tanev. Friedman suggests it may take longer for Toronto to execute a deal given the player's $4.5 million salary cap hit.
"I think the Toronto Maple Leafs prefer right-shot defensemen and they’re looking for someone with a bit of an edge," Friedman said of Tanev.
The Leafs are also awaiting clarity on John Klingberg's status. The defenseman is on long-term injured reserve as he deals with a lingering hip injury.
Keefe was asked of the 31-year-old's status following Toronto's 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday and had nothing to report.
If Klingberg elects to undergo hip surgery and is shut down for the season, Toronto would be free and clear to use all of his $4.15 million salary cap hit without having to worry about finding room to activate it later in the regular season. But if Klingberg avoids surgery and tries to come back this season, the Leafs won't have that same flexibility and will need to find cap room elsewhere in their search to add another blueliner.
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