Maple Leafs’ Nicolas Roy talks Oilers trade rumour

NEWARK, N.J. — Nicolas Roy knows his name has been floated out in a trade speculation connecting him to the Edmonton Oilers, and he’s trying not to dwell on it.

“I saw the rumour like everybody else. But, I mean, rumors, until they come true … really, nothing happened,” Roy said Wednesday at New Jersey’s Prudential Center, following Toronto Maple Leafs morning skate.

“I mean, I wasn’t expecting to be traded last summer and never heard any rumours. And then it happened. And sometimes you hear rumours, and it doesn’t happen. So, yeah, I heard, like everybody else.

“But I’m playing for the Leafs now, and I want to be here.”

The two-time Stanley Cup finalist Oilers are one of several playoff-bound clubs hunting centre depth, and fellow Western Conference contenders Minnesota (Michael McCarron) and Vegas (Cole Smith) have already added to forward depth via trade this week.

Acquired by Toronto in an off-season deal with the Golden Knights for Mitch Marner, the 29-year-old Roy is on a reasonable contract ($3 million AAV) through 2026-27.

The Leafs aren’t pressed to deal their third-line centre by Friday, but they are listening to offers. Edmonton has already added defenceman Connor Murphy, but Roy — a big, defensively responsible, faceoff-winning penalty killer — fits the Oilers’ needs up the middle.

“You never know what’s going to happen,” said Roy, who does not have trade protection.

Roy said, in a sense, he takes the rumours as a compliment but appreciates life as a Leaf. 

“I obviously have playoff experience, playing in Vegas for a while. So, yeah, for sure, a little bit,” said Roy, turning his focus to Toronto.

“It’s been fun. I mean, growing up, I was a Leafs fan. So, for sure, really fun to be playing for this team here. Obviously, playing in Canada, big market, everybody’s really involved. Really good group of people. So, really enjoying my time.”

Leafs coach Craig Berube said he knows what he’s getting every night from Roy, who has five goals, 20 points and a 52.4 face-off percentage.

“I know that his production is not where he wants to be, and we would like it a little higher, too. But it’s not from not doing things right,” Berube said. “Overall, we’re pretty happy with his game.”

Roy is just one of several Leafs — including Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton and Oliver Ekman-Larsson — expected to suit up Wednesday night versus the Devils.

So, none of these trade candidates will be held out of the lineup as a precaution?

“It’s not going to happen tonight,” Berube said. “The deadline is around the corner here, and there’s a lot of talk and noise, but you got to block it out and play.”

One-timers: Nick Robertson, Calle Järnkrok, and Troy Stecher will be scratched again, as Berube sticks with a lineup that pushed the Flyers to a shootout. … Defenceman Chris Tanev underwent successful core muscle surgery today in New York City and is expected to be ready for training camp. … New Jersey native Anthony Stolarz gets the nod in net, so expect Joseph Woll to face the Rangers on Thursday.

Maple Leafs’ projected lineup Wednesday in New Jersey:

McMann – Matthews – Nylander

Knies – Tavares – Domi

Maccelli – Roy – Joshua

Lorentz – Laughton – Cowan

Rielly – Carlo

Benoit – McCabe

Ekman-Larsson – Myers

Stolarz starts

Woll