2 weeks Ago By Mike Armenti, Maple Leafs Daily
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in Boston on Saturday evening to take on the Bruins, but Craig Berube's boss will also be present on business. Just a pair of days after a blowout 5-1 win over the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Thursday night, it appears as though Doug Armstrong , the Blues' GM, has followed the Leafs to Boston to take in tonight's game as well. Typically, when a GM scouts a game in person, it's because talks have intensified and there is a potential deal to be made.
We know that the Maple Leafs have to free up some cap space in order to activate Jani Hakanpaa and Connor Dewar within the next week or so, so it stands to reason that GM Brad Treliving is having serious talks with several rival GMs as we speak. Much of the speculation earlier this season has surrounded Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf and Timothy Liljegren, but with Jarnkrok out of the lineup due to injury and Liljegren in the press box as a healthy scratch, perhaps the target is Kampf, the penalty killing center who earns $2.4M per season to play on the Leafs' 4th line.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that the Nashville Predators are in the market for a bottom-6 center . Kampf also fits the bill there, so perhaps Armstrong is looking to swipe a valuable piece before a division rival can swing a trade to acquire him. Obviously, there could be additional names that would be of intrigue to Armstrong and the Blues, and Armstrong could just as easily be there to scout the Bruins.
At any rate, Armstrong being present to take in a second straight Leafs game is certainly an interesting coincidence. This article first appeared on Maple Leafs Daily and was syndicated with permission..
