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Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks –

Posted on by Neons

Welcome to another edition Complete Press Hockey NHL Rumors! Teams are always looking to improve, and another NHL season is upon us. The rumors are hot and heavy as the March 8th trade deadline approaches!

In this Sunday's edition of NHL Rumors, we look at the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks.

This edition's NHL rumors include:

Are the Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues ready to start a big trade? Can the Flyers trade Casey Mittelstadt? Is Phil Kessel going to rejoin Rick Tocchet in Vancouver?

Toronto Maple Leafs – Colton Parayko

Rumor: Per – James Wilson – nhltraderumors.me. Could a five-player trade involving Parayko be in the works for the Leafs?

In a trade suggested to Wilson via Rob Ellis of nhltraderumor.com, the Blues send defenseman Colton Parayko and forward Sammy Blais to Toronto, along with forward Ryan Reaves, center Kalle Jarnkrok, defensive prospect Topi Niemala and a player. 2024 first round pick. Now, this may not make the trade — it's the salary cap. Paraiko will make $6.5 million through the 2029-30 season. Blaise's earnings this season are only $1 million. Reaves is due $1.35 million through 2025-26, while Jarnkrok is due $2.1 million through 2025-26. Neimela is in the first year of an entry-level deal, paying him $856,667.

The problem is, the difference in salary is $3.19 million, and the Leafs currently have $26,667. Another $3 million has to be moved. Maybe trading a player like Max Domi would make the difference.

There's no question the Leafs adding a big 6'6″, 228-pound blueliner like Parayko will ease their defensive concerns. He has blocked 128 shots this season and is averaging 24 minutes of ice time per game.

If it can be worked out, the Blues would be happy with this swap. Getting a prospect like Niemela will ease the pain of losing Parayko. He has 25 points in 40 AHL games with the Marlies and is only 21 years old.

Philadelphia Flyers – Casey Mittelstadt

Rumor: Per – Jonathan Bailey – phillyhockeynow.com. The Philadelphia Flyers have expressed their importance on making a hockey trade that makes sense for the organization now, in the future, or both. Now they have a chance to prove it by trading Casey Mittelstadt to the Buffalo Sabres.

While the Buffalo Sabers want a goalie instead, they could also use a point guard. Let's say a blueliner like Sean Walker, who has been rumored in the NHL lately. Mittelstadt, 25, is in the final year of a three-year, $7.5 million contract that made him a restricted free agent this offseason. Mittelstadt, who has 12 goals, 30 assists and 42 points in 50 games, could receive a significant raise over his $2.6 million salary this season. GM Kevin Adams doesn't seem willing to pony up that kind of money to re-sign him.

The potential to restore flyers is bright. The addition of Mittelstadt as a young forward with goalscoring credentials could be very interesting.

Now it's up to GM Daniel Briere to decide what he wants to do. It could be a decision that affects the Flyers this season and beyond.

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Vancouver Canucks – Phil Kessel

Rumour: Per – Abhilasha Aditi – sportskeeda.com. Could Kessel be reunited with his favorite coach?

It's no secret that Vancouver head coach Rick Tockett likes Phil Kessel's game. Kessel joined the Arizona Coyotes when they were traded to that desert. Tocchet still holds Kessel in high esteem. “Phil has value, I think he can still play 100%,» – said Tocchet.

Even Elliott Friedman of sportsnet.ca weighed in on the Jeff Marek Show. Kessel is enjoying his time and still wants to play. Friedman believes a team looking to win the Cup could use a player like him who can score big in the playoffs. Since Kessel is very comfortable with both Tocchet and Jim Rutherford, it seems like a good fit. So maybe Phil's “wave” has another trophy in the dying days of his 17-year NHL career.

That concludes this edition of NHL Rumors. Be sure to check out our next article and thanks for reading!

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