During a Saturday morning appearance on NHL Network, Elliotte Friedman dropped a rumour bomb on the Twittersphere by mentioning the Leafs in among the select few teams interested to swing a deal for Columbus Blue Jackets sniper, Artemi Panarin.
On the surface, this rumour reads more as HF Boards nonsense than fact-based news. Although, this is Friedge we’re talking about here. Arguably hockey’s most connected and accurate reporter, he willingly attached his name to this report while unprompted and on live television. There’s some semblance of truth at play.
While visions of Panarin in blue and white are undoubtedly enticing, it’s still quite the longshot.