Leafs score 6 unanswered goals; rout Penguins 6-2

Three wins in four games, including a 2-1 shootout win against the league’s top team Wednesday night had the Penguins talking about how they were turning corner. All of that talk about turning the corner won’t be heard around the Penguins locker room tomorrow morning after the Penguins surrendered a 2-0 lead Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs (21-25-10) and were thumbed by the lowly Leafs 6-2 at the Air Canada Center. The 6-2 loss is the Penguins third loss of the season against Toronto and the Penguins have been outscored 18-9 in those three losses. The Penguins (27-25-5) are 1-6-1 in their last 8 road games and are five points behind the Florida Panthers (64 points) and Buffalo

NHL Insider Report: Antropov, Kaberle drawing significant interest; NYR to pursue Scuderi in FA?

The Penguins, Hurricanes, Stars and Blue Jackets have had discussions with the Leafs about forward Nik Antropov. Leafs GM Brian Burke is driving up the price for Antropov If Blues forward Andy McDonald hits the free agent market, Brian Burke will look to bring him in. Rob Scuderi has been one of the Penguins most consistent defensemen this season. Scuderi could triple his current salary on the open market and sources indicate the Rangers will make a play for him if he opts for free agency. If Mark Eaton is worth two million per season, Scuderi’s representatives will be using that as a starting point in talks with the Penguins. The Minnesota Wild have inquired about Lightning forward Martin St.

Penguins face off against the Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs (12-13-6) at Pittsburgh Penguins (17-10-4) The Penguins lineup will be the same as it was in Friday afternoon’s practice Forwards Taffe-Crosby-Satan Fedotenko-Malkin-Sykora Cooke -Staal-Wallace Stone-Talbot-Godard D-Pairs Orpik-Scuderi Eaton-Letang Goligoski-Boucher Marc Andre Fleury will start in goal

Friday’s NHL Rumor Mill

The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired former Ducks GM Brian Burke. Is Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish on the hot seat? Hossa over Franzen?

NHL: Leafs acquire Lee Stempiak

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo and forward Alexander Steen to the St. Louis Blues for right winger Lee Stempiak. The Leafs receive a talented forward in Stempniak, 25, who was chosen 148th in the 2003 draft. Stempiak scored 27 goals and 52 points in 82 games in 2006-2007, but took a step back last season scoring only 13 goals in 82 games last season. Colaiacovo 25, is a talented defenseman who has top four potential but has struggled to stay healthy. Steen 24, was once considered the Leafs top prospect and at one time was an untouchable. Steen has had two goals and four points in 20 games this season.

NHL: Sundin off to train in LA

Mats Sundin took a physical in Toronto Wednesday and is off to Los Angeles to begin training. Sundin will skate for two weeks and then begin talking to NHL teams about his playing future. The usual suspects (Vancouver, Colorado, Ottawa, Toronto, and the New York Rangers remain very interested Source: Globe and Mail

NHL: A second franchise in Toronto?

NHL governors have discussed placing a second team in Toronto and one idea being mentioned around the league is Jim Balsillie being rewarded with a expansion team. For the past couple years the NHL has held serious discussions about expanding to a 32 team league. One potential destination being mentioned is Las Vegas and right now it appears the other could be Toronto Source: Globe & Mail

NHL: Sundin will return this season

J.P. Barry, the agent for C Mats Sundin, tells the Toronto Sun he believes the free agent will play this season. Sundin who has been heavily pursued by the Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers is expected to return sometime after December. The Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche are two teams with cap room that have also shown interest. The New York Rangers are believed to be Sundin’s first choice but they have less than two million in cap space

NHL Preview: NorthEast Division

Inside report It will be a uphill battle for the Senators, Sabres and Bruins to overtake the Canadiens in the North East but that‚Äôs why they play the game. 1. Montreal Canadiens (47-25-10) The Montreal Canadiens are the fastest team in the league and among one of the most talented teams in the NHL. They made significant upgrades upfront adding Alex Tanguay (18 goals ‚Äì 40 assists ‚Äì 58 points) and Robert Lang (21 goals) who will center the third line. Tanguay joins talented forwards Alexei Kovalev (84 points), Tomas Plekanec (69points), Chris Higgins (52 points) and that is just naming a few. Offensively not too many teams can’t match up with the Canadiens. On defense Mike Komisarek is a

NHL: Leafs tried to acquire Ryan, Schneider from Ducks

The Toronto Maple Leafs made a strong pitch for defenseman Mathieu Schneider and 21 yr old forward Bobby Ryan according to TSN.ca. The Leafs are believed to have offered a conditional first round draft pick in 2009 along with two prospects. The Ducks chose to go with the Thrashers package. Source: TSN.CA