Track the latest news and rumours around the NHL with TSN.ca's Off-Season Watch.

Bozak moving on in Toronto?

According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, based on outside interest in Toronto Maple Leafs' Tyler Bozak, it is unlikely that the veteran centre remains in Toronto.

"I think it's unlikely [Bozak re-signs with the Maple Leafs], because there's a real good market, as there should be for Tyler Bozak," Dreger told Michael Landsberg on TSN Radio 1050's Landsberg in the Morning. "It's not that Mike Babcock and the Toronto Maple Leafs don't see the value in Tyler Bozak, but you just have to look around some of the other issues that they're facing and also the reality that the Toronto Maple Leafs are trending in a different direction. Tyler Bozak on a more established team, perhaps, is going to be highly sought after. The market is always strong on good centres, but I don't see the fit with the Toronto Maple Leafs."

The 32-year-old had 11 goals and 32 assists last season in 81 games with the Leafs and is an unrestricted free agent after completing a five-year, $21 million contract at the end of last season. Dreger notes that the Leafs have had talks with Bozak, as well as impending UFA James van Riemsdyk, but to what extent is unclear.

Growing list of teams interested in Kovalchuk

Dreger reports that the list of teams who have their eye on left winger Ilya Kovalchuk is on the rise, including the Boston Bruins.

"There's a growing list of teams that are interested [in Kovalchuk] and I would say [the Boston Bruins], which may be a surprise to many, would be on the shortlist of teams with considerable interest and interest that Kovalchuk has in joining the Bruins," Dreger said on Landsberg in the Morning. "The Los Angeles Kings, the San Jose Sharks, the New York Rangers, to some degree, although the Rangers aren't really the right fit, aside from the fact he still has a home there."

There are a further number of teams that have inquired about Kovalchuk as he looks to return to the NHL after five seasons with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL and Dreger believes the list is at eight or 10 teams.

"The Anaheim Ducks inquired, but it sounds like they're basically out; the St. Louis Blues inquired, but I think they will look at Ilya Kovalchuk as almost a plan C if [John Tavares] doesn't hit the market...I'm going to say there's upwards of eight, maybe 10 teams that have expressed some interest, but now now we're down to the nitty-gritty here and the advantage that Ilya Kovalchuk has had to this point in talking with teams and esentially openly negotiating -- he can't sign anything until July 1 -- is goint to drift away and likewise for John Tavares, so things are going to get real, real this week, I would say."

The 35-year-old had one of his best KHL seasons in 2017-18, scoring 31 goals and adding 32 assists.

Dreger believes that Kovalchuk will receive a two-year deal wherever he signs.