Trade winds rustle Leafs

Mike Babcock has joked about running into GM Lou Lamoriello a lot the past few days and there have been plenty of sightings of team president Brendan Shanahan, too. With the trade deadline now 18 days away, it’s not hard to guess what the hot topic is.

“It’s no different than when you’re putting people on the ice,” Babcock said Wedneseday morning. “You have to decide as coach and the GM has to decide (his roster).

“We’re all going to get together (including reports from Toronto’s pro scouts and senior advisor Cliff Fletcher) and discuss this many times. We’re all going to have our opinions. I like to have a good, heated debate, to have a whole bunch of different opinions until we end up with the same one.”

About four hours after the deadline passes, the Leafs will be taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena in a possible playoff preview.

“In the end, you get what you get and then you have to find a way to make them win,” Babcock concluded. “It’s time to get on with it.”

KAPANEN FORCES HARD CHOICES

Rumours have begun suggesting idled winger Matt Martin might be offered back to the New York Islanders if the Leafs will take some salary remaining on his $2.5 million US this year and next. Or that Josh Leivo and Nikita Soshnikov will get the chance to play full-time elsewhere by the Feb. 26 deadline.

All three have seen their situations affected by the return of winger Kasperi Kapanen from the Marlies. Babcock was asked whether Kapanen is prepared to finally take his place with the other young guns on the Leafs.

“You come here and think you’re ready,” Babcock of any player’s first attempt to make the jump from the AHL. “You go back and feel bad for yourself and wonder why you’re getting screwed. Who did it to you?