With the NHL Draft and free agency approaching, the rumour mill is in full swing, with TSN hockey insiders Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger weighing in with the latest on the Maple Leafs interest in Aaron Ekblad and why Dave Bolland looks primed to hit the open market. Wholesale Panthers Jerseys . “Dave Bollands initial ask of the Toronto Maple Leafs was seven to eight years in length and a little under $5 million,” McKenzie said Wednesday on TSN 1050. ”That was probably too long and too rich for Leaf blood, so it looks like hell go to market at this point.” Despite not being on the same page in negotiations at the moment, McKenzie thinks a deal between the 28-year-old and his hometown team could still be a possibility if he adjusts both his term and salary expectation. “If the Leafs counter, I think they would probably counter more in the five year range, at a number closer to Tyler Bozak-type money, $4.25 or $4.5 million,” McKenzie said. “The Leafs have some interest, but I dont think theyre prepared to give the seven or eight-year deal at that kind of money to Dave Bolland.” Besides their soon-to-be free agent centre, Toronto is also engaged in talks with the Panthers regarding the no. 1 overall selection in Friday nights draft. If they were to move up, it would be with the purpose of taking the consensus top-rated prospect Ekblad. “Toronto feels like not only is he the best player in the draft, but when you look at the best player in the draft being a defenceman, then you cant waste that opportunity, youve gotta take that player,” Dreger told Mike Richards in the Morning on Wednesday. Dreger noted that Panthers GM Dale Tallon is open to a deal, but would likely wait until draft day to pull the trigger on any sort of trade. TSN Radio 1050 reporter Jonas Siegel is reporting that the agent for Jay McClement says there have been no talks with the Leafs and none are planned for the future regarding a new contract. McKenzie: Bolland likely to hit open market Dreger: Ekblad appealing for Leafs Button: NHL Draft preview, Leafs/Ritchie Dellow and Simmons get heated about Bolland Cheap Panthers Jerseys . Patty Mills scored 15 points, Tim Duncan had 10 points and 11 rebounds in limited minutes, and San Antonio trailed for only 11 seconds late in the first quarter of a 103-90 victory over Portland on Wednesday night. Panthers Jerseys 2021 . -- The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena to a $25 million, five-year contract Saturday. https://www.panthersjerseycheap.com/ . - Kentucky freshmen Stanley Boom Williams, Dorian Baker, Drew Barker and Tymere Dubose have been charged with disorderly conduct for their involvement with air pistol shots being fired near a residence hall on the South campus Sunday night.PORT LEYDEN, N.Y. -- Kevin Ward Jr. was crafting a reputation as a wheelman, the kind of driver who could race vehicles on any track without fear. Hed sit up on his seat, floor it, and zip his way through a maze of cars straight toward the front of the pack. For points. For fun. Often for little money. "He would go to tracks that a lot of other drivers wouldnt go to," Chuck Miller, the race director and president for the Empire Super Sprints circuit, said Monday. "If we had co-sanctioned races with other organizations where we really werent giving points or anything, but it was a deal where you wanted to see how you stacked up against the other competition, the Wards were willing to go and do that and see where they were at." Ward began racing go-karts in 1998 at age 4. In 2010, he moved on to sprint cars and was Empire Super Sprint racing rookie of the year in 2012. The 20-year-old raced mostly on dirt tracks a few hours from his home in Port Leyden, a village of 700 in northern New York. Ward was killed Saturday night about 140 miles away at a clay track in Canandaigua. NASCAR champion Tony Stewart was the big name in the field, racing with the young guys while he was in the area for a Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen the next day. Ward and Stewart tangled, and Ward hit the wall. Ward walked on the track apparently to confront Stewart, and was struck when Stewarts vehicle seemed to fishtail. On Monday, several cars were parked in front of the Ward home in Port Leyden. A police officer stood across the street, politely asking reporters not to park on the roads shoulder. Helen McHale has lived across the street for 30 years and remembers hearing the noise when Ward raced go-carts. Kevin Ward Sr. runs a successful painting business, and locals thought his son might make it big in the racing world. "His dad goes to every race," she said. "Hes a good kid, polite, big smile, and theyre a good family." Stewart and Ward shared a love of racing sprint cars: high-powered, winged cars built for running on short oval or circular dirt and paved tracks. Drivers have to hit the gas to turn, not necessarily use the wheel. After the crash, Ward was standing to the right of Stewarts familiar No. 14 car on the dimly lit track. According to video and witness accounts, Ward was struck by the right rear tire and hurtled through the air. Authorities questioned the 43-year-old Stewart once on Saturday night and went to Watkins Glen to talk to him again Sunday. Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero said that investigators dont have any evidence at this point to support criminal intent. Povero said Monday there were no plans "at this time" to talk to Stewart again. "At this time, there are no facts that exist that support any criminal behaviour or conduct, or that any probable cause of a criminal act, in this investigation," he said. Povero said the autopsy was completed Monday and found Ward died of blunt force trauma. Custom Florida Panthers Jerseys. Stewart said Sunday "there arent words" to describe his sadness over Wards death. Stewart hasnt announced whether hell drive in this weekends NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway, but his short track "hobby" is on hold. He wont appear Saturday in a race in Warsaw, Indiana. "It is still an emotional time for all involved, Tony included. He is grieving, and grief doesnt have a timetable," spokesman Mike Arning said Monday. Canandaigua Speedway promoter Jeremie Corcoran said the track has cancelled Wednesdays event to give "my family, staff, fans, and racing teams time to grieve and process all that has occurred." Driver Matt Tanner, a friend of Wards, was a few cars back from the collision. Ward had been a good friend for years, a member of a small, tight group of drivers who travelled to various races around New York state, parts of Canada and Pennsylvania. "I saw his car sitting there and when the ambulances pulled up I realized what was happening," Tanner said. He hasnt watched the video and doesnt plan to. "Your emotions are running so high. Stewarts known for being competitive, and Kevin was just as competitive," said Tanner. So competitive that hed take his life into his own hands by stepping into traffic in a black firesuit on a dark track? No one will know for sure why Ward made the treacherous decision to stalk Stewart. But perhaps he was inspired by Stewart himself. Known for his volcanic temper, Stewart is among the drivers who made highlight reels by tossing helmets at windshields or throwing punches at competitors. The action captivates fans and is part of NASCARs allure -- and inspires the next generation to mimic the bumping and brawling of their heroes. What better way for a young driver to make a name for himself than being the one that stood up to Smoke? Driver Cory Sparks, a fellow driver in Saturdays race, said he and Ward became friends five years ago. He said Ward was aggressive and competitive and that the two men had "had our feuds" but that he was proud to call him a friend. "I dont want Kevin Ward to be remembered as a victim in a Tony Stewart accident," he said. "He definitely had a future in this sport. He was a very aggressive driver. He was one hell of wheel man." Doug Elkins is a former race announcer who now writes about the sport. He had known Ward and his father for several years. Elkins said he expected rules prohibiting drivers from getting out of their cars during races will be better enforced around the country. He hadnt heard of any bad blood between Stewart and Ward. "Anyone would want to beat him, Elkins said, "hes Tony Stewart." Memorial services will be held Wednesday at the Trainor Funeral Home in Boonville, New York. The funeral is Thursday. ' ' '