from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- Word around from a bevy of hockey sources is that the Leafs have been extraordinarily active talking trade while at the same time trying to get Mitch Marner signed before the end of the month. They’ve talked, for certain, with other teams about Kasperi Kapanen, Patrick Marleau and possibly Connor Brown, who I get conflicting reports on. Some tell me the Leafs would like to trade Brown and some tell me they have no interest in trading Brown. Just where William Nylander fits in all this talk, with the Leafs trying to sign Marner and trying to create enough cap space to sign Andreas Johnsson, possibly Kapanen and money left for upgrading their defence or maintaining Jake Gardiner, the pending free agent who would rather stay in Toronto. Needless to say Kyle Dubas’ plate is full. He is working as many angles as he can. This is clearly the greatest test of his young career as general manager of the Leafs.

- On the day Ryan O’Reilly was drafted by Colorado in the second round in the 2009 draft, his junior general manager, Sherry Bassin called me and said the Avalanche got a steal in Round 2. That steal could well win the Conn Smythe Trophy. The first pick that year: John Tavares. O’Reilly is third in scoring from that draft class behind Tavares and Duchene.

a few more hockey notes but mostly NBA talk...