Report: Filppula rejected trade to Leafs as part of bigger Boyle package

The Toronto Maple Leafs made a splash prior to the deadline by renting Brian Boyle from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Byron Froese and a second-round pick, but apparently the Atlantic Division foes had a little more in the works.

Lightning forward Valtteri Filppula rejected a trade to Toronto as part of a bigger trade that included Boyle, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.

Filppula, 32, is familiar with Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock, having been drafted by the Red Wings in 2002 and remaining in the organization until the 2013-14 season.

In 59 games this season, Filppula's scored seven goals and added 27 assists.