Quick Hits: Frattin, Fines, Trade Talks
- Maple Leafs prospect Matt Frattin has been put on ballot for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the NCAA’s most outstanding player. After a rocky 2009-2010 year that saw him dismissed from and eventually reinstated into North Dakota’s hockey program, Frattin has rebounded with a monstrous season. He is the nation’s leading goal scorer with 20 tallies and 8 assists for 28 points through 23 games played, causing havoc for opposing teams with his laser shot and physical play. Once he finishes out his senior season with the Fighting Sioux, expect Matt to receive a contact from the Leafs and eventually make his way to the NHL sooner rather than later.
- For the $600 bounty coach Ron Wilson posted ahead of Tuesday night’s victory against his former team, the San Jose Sharks, the league will fine the Maple Leafs an undisclosed amount as a penalty for what was deemed to be cap circumvention. Although players have traditionally fronted cash to the teammate who scores the game winning goal against former teams, players are technically not allowed to receive any sort of incentive other than the ones written into their contact.
- The AM640‘s Jonas Siegel reports that while trade talks continue to progress with improving offers, the Leafs insist that nothing is imminent. Burke has been working the phones the past couple of weeks in an effort to upgrade his NHL roster, but has been unsuccessful to date. However, Burke does note that the organization will be targeting roster players rather than draft picks heading closer to the deadline, but is willing to accept a draft pick as part of a larger trade. He also adds that the team has not yet approached the agents for impending restricted free agents Clarke MacArthur or Luke Schenn. Both are in line for massive pay raises this coming offseason.
