Tyler Bozak celebrates with teammates Joffery Lupul and Phil Kessel after scoring a goal against the Habs. (image via toronto.ctv.ca)
2. The Three Rumor Magnets
Tyler Bozak, Joffrey Lupul and Dion Phaneuf speculations are going to be a topic that isn’t going to go away. The three players were rumored in trades very heavily, even more so than Phil Kessel for quite some time.
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None of the three will be easy to unload, and all for different reasons.
Bozak is a player that teams are likely hesitant on because of his constant link with Phil Kessel and the (justifiable) argument that he just isn’t legitimately capable of being anything more than a 2nd line center in a pinch.
Lupul has a great amount of talent but he’s also made of glass. It’s hard to convince a team to take him and his salary when there is no guarantee that he’s going to play very long when they get him.
Dion Phaneuf’s salary cap hit is a sight for sore eyes and he’s being paid well above his ideal role – which isn’t a number one defender.
The odds of a trade involving Phaneuf that doesn’t include retaining salary are slim. Joffrey Lupul would likely include an overpaid contract coming back, although not to the extent of Lupul’s number. I think, of the three, Tyler Bozak is the most likely player to be traded without retaining any salary.
What does that all mean? It means that these players could be here for the entire 2015-2016 season – but don’t expect the speculation to disappear.
Next: 3. Steven Stamkos