Lavoie: Leafs trying to move Phaneuf and Kessel by deadline

It seems like the talks around Phaneuf have really been elevated over the last week, with the Wings being thrown out there a few times as potential suitors. TSN’s Bob McKenzie indicated yesterday evening that Detroit has had some internal discussions about pursuing the Leafs’ Phaneuf and/or Lupul, though the Erik Cole trade obviously takes them out of the picture on Lupul.

Kessel’s name being thrown out there is surprising, as it probably makes more sense for the Leafs to hold off and see what the draft brings. They’re very much in the lottery for Connor McDavid, and with a player like that entering the fold right away, they could accelerate a rebuild by holding on to an elite winger in Kessel.