PHILADELPHIA -- Dave Bolland wants to stay in Toronto and play for the Maple Leafs. We knew that already.
We also already knew that the Maple Leafs want to keep Bolland, because he’s “the type of player (they) need.”
So why haven’t the two sides come to an agreement on a new contract for the pending unrestricted free agent center?
“It’s not that we’re not speaking to each other,” Leafs general manager Dave Nonis said Thursday afternoon. “It’s at this point we haven’t been able to find common ground for a deal. ... There’s a number and term that we believe is fair, and [Bolland and his agent, Anton Thun] have a different number and different term.
“We still have time to get something done. Whether that happens or not -- last year, we were in a similar situation with Tyler Bozak and he ended up signing -- whether we get to that or not remains to be seen.”
And if it doesn’t happen? Does Nonis expect to have certainty on the Bolland situation by July 1, so he can go to Plan B as soon as the league-wide bidding frenzy begins?
“Your only Plan B is going to be the players you have under contract,” said Nonis. “Because you don’t know who else you can sign. ... The only certainty is the players that are our own.”
Nonis also spoke briefly today about goalie James Reimer, who many expect to be traded before the start of next season.
"[A trade] is a possibility,” admitted Nonis. “The other possibility is to come here and try to start here. ... I wouldn’t rule out him coming back.”