from Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette,

Toronto Maple Leafs: It’s a good thing for coach Mike Babcock that he has an eight-year, $50-million contract because it’s going to take a few seasons to straighten out the collection of losers Babcock has dubbed Canada’s team. Leading scorer Phil Kessel is on the trading block and so is captain Dion Phaneuf. There are reports out of Toronto that both will be dealt before the draft. That would free up $15 million in cap space, although there are suggestions the Leafs will have to retain some salary. Joffrey Lupul ($5.25 million) and Tyler Bozak ($4.2 million) are also in play. The Leafs draft fourth overall, which should yield a very good player, and they also have Nashville’s first-round pick at No. 24.

read on for comments on the Blackhawks, Oilers, Bruins and Sabres...