from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- I can see Marner wanting Matthews money or close to it, but how do you pay him more than Nikita Kucherov’s $9.5 million a year? And in retrospect, boy did agent Lewis Gross undersell Johnny Gaudreau in Calgary at $6.75 million for three more years.

- Entering Saturday’s play, restricted free agent Patrik Laine has scored once in his past 15 games for Winnipeg, four times in his past 30 games. Can you say bridge contract?

- Buffalo needs help on defence. Lots of help. Is it enough to be interested in Nikita Zaitsev with the Leafs paying part of the freight?

- In almost any other circumstance, Randy Carlyle would have been fired as coach of the Anaheim Ducks. Except upper management is desperate for an early draft pick this season. The team is in need of young talent. Losing actually fits their agenda right now.

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