Carolina Hurricanes Morning News: Toronto Maple Leafs Rumors, Jarred Tinordi, and Preseason Scores

The end of preseason is getting closer and closer for all 30 NHL clubs, including the Carolina Hurricanes, and even though the regular season has yet to start, rumors are swirling like crazy.

More from Cardiac Cane – Eddie Lack Ready to be Canes Starter

Are the Toronto Maple Leafs interested in New Jersey Devils center Travis Zajac? Whether they are or not, Zajac is aware of the rumors and talked about it this week. Jarred Tinordi could benefit from a fresh start in a new organization, and who won last night’s preseason games?

Let’s take a look at today’s news.

Carolina Hurricanes Links

• Who will make the opening night roster for the Carolina Hurricanes? Matt Karash explores some possibilities and predicts who will hit the ice for the Canes on October 8. (Canes and Coffee)
• Staying in the realm of roster discussions, Mr. Workrate of Section 328 take a deeper look into the Carolina Hurricanes by position in part 4 of “Handicapping the 2015-16 Canes”. (Section 328)
• Brian LeBlanc take a look at three burning questions for the Hurricanes entering the 2015-2016 season. (Canes Country)

Travis Zajac Speaks Out on Trade Rumors – NJ.com

Long-time New Jersey Devils center Travis Zajac has seen his fair share of ups and downs over the past few seasons, and he isn’t ignorant to the fact that trade rumors have come up.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked to Zajac for a while now, and he addressed those trade rumors on Thursday.

"“It’s part of the business,” Zajac said of the talk that several trade proposals have been discussed. “I don’t know how much truth is behind any of that, but I’m committed to this team. I’m trying to get better and prove myself to the coaching staff here. I can be a player to help this team and get it going on the right direction.”"

Rich Chere of NJ.com did mention that the Devils aren’t opposed to moving Zajac, a player whose numbers have dropped off significantly, as has the level of play from the team, since 2012.

From his rookie season in 2006-2007 through the 2010-2011 season, Zajac had four 40+ point seasons and two 60+ point seasons. He was a real offensive leader as a young forward in a lineup that featured the likes of Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk at points.

Since 2011, Zajac has hit the 40-point marker just once in four seasons and has fought off some injury issues, specifically in the 2011-2012 season in which he played just 15 games.

Last season, he skated in 74 games and tallied just 25 points. Perhaps a fresh start with the Toronto Maple Leafs could resurrect his career, but it isn’t like the Leafs are in a much better situation than the bottom-dwelling Devils.

Jarred Tinordi Could Need a Fresh Start – Brian Wilde

A former first round draft pick, Jarred Tinordi was once a highly valued member of the Montreal Canadiens farm system, but now, his future with the club looks bleak.

Since being drafted 22nd overall in 2010, Tinordi has bounced up and down between the Habs at the NHL level and the Hamilton Bulldogs, their former AHL minor league affiliate.

The massive blue liner has not been able to stick around yet, and despite playing in just 43 NHL games, Brian Wilde of CTV believes that Jarred Tinordi should get a fresh start elsewhere.

Tinordi has always been known for his defensive upside and his grit, but unfortunately for the Canadiens, that upside has yet to come through at the NHL level.

There’s surely a plethora of NHL clubs looking for young, big defensemen, but depending on the asking price from Montreal, a trade could be difficult. Tinordi has had flashes of good play, but that has never been consistently shown, which is troubling considering he is now a fourth-year pro.

NHL Scores from October 1, 2015

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