Report: Lightning’s Valtteri Filppula rejected trade to Maple Leafs

HC news breakers panel discusses the reports that Valtteri Filppula rejected a deal to the Leafs, and look quickly at what the Oilers and Flames might be hunting for at the deadline.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Valtteri Filppula rejected a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs, reports Renaud Lavoie of TVA.

Filppula would have been included as part of the deal that sent centre Brian Boyle to the Leafs for forward Byron Froese and a 2017 second-round pick on Monday.

The 32-year-old Filppula, a 12-year NHL veteran, is signed through 2017-18 at $5 million per season. He’s got a no-trade clause and has a list of 16 clubs he’s willing to be dealt to.

Filppula has seven goals and 34 points in 59 games this season. His best year came in 2011-12 when he had 66 points for the Detroit Red Wings.

As Luke Fox notes in his live blog, Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman needs to re-sign younger forwards Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Jonathan Drouin this off-season, so the team’s willingness to trade Filppula is understandable.

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