Rangers stick to their guns on Alexandar Georgiev, Leafs acquire Campbell and Clifford from LA

Anthony Scultore Updated: Feb 5, 2020

Alexandar Georgiev will not be joining the Maple Leafs this season as the ask was just too high. Instead Toronto went the cheap route and made a deal with LA for Jack Campbell and UFA rental Kyle Clifford.

Leafs Get Help

The @MapleLeafs have acquired goaltender Jack Campbell and forward Kyle Clifford from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for forward Trevor Moore, Columbus’ third round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft and a conditional third round pick in 2021. #LeafsForever
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) February 6, 2020

The LA Kings will retain 50% of Clifford’s salary and his addition makes it easier to trade Kasperi Kapanen for a defenseman.

Rangers sticking to their guns

There’s no doubt that the two teams discussed the possibility of acquiring Georgiev, but the Leafs would not fork over Kapanen in order to do so. You can expect to hear this from your trusted insiders over the next 24 hours. Bottom line is they would rather keep him then give him away for less than what a future starter would fetch.

Which now brings up the Carolina Hurricanes who are looking for just that kind of goalie. It is believed the Rangers want a top 9 forward, preferably a center for Georgiev. Will they get it? 19 more days to find out.