Insider Reports Leafs Almost Landed Zadorov, but Calgary wouldn't Budge on Key Issue

This adds an interesting twist to the story. After the Calgary Flames traded defenceman Nikita Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks earlier today, comes word that the Toronto Maple Leafs were very much in on the mix.

Zadorov's current contract was negotiated by Brad Treliving before he left Calgary for Toronto. Kevin Weekes reports Treliving tried to get the big blueliner to the Maple Leafs. The key issue was the retention salary.





Flames GM Craig Conroy made the right move. No question he'd be able to trade Zadorov to another team without continuing to pay him, and that's exactly what he did. Meanwhile, Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin has had a good week. He managed to ditch Anthony Beauvillier's salary without taking any back. He then used the 5th round pick he got from Chicago in the Beauvillier exchange to acquire Zadorov by adding another third rounder to the deal. Solid moves.


Treliving will have to look elsewhere for an addition to the Leafs blueline, at it seems he's knocking on a number of doors.