Flyers' Filppula confirms shutting down potential deal to Maple Leafs

Philadelphia Flyers forward Valtteri Filppula confirmed Thursday in Toronto that he snuffed out a potential trade to the Maple Leafs by exercising the no-trade clause included in his contract signed with his former club, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

"Nothing against Toronto," he said, according to James Mirtle of The Athletic. "Obviously they have a great team and coach."

Filppula was later dealt to the Flyers, a team included on his list of acceptable destinations, for defenseman Mark Streit. Streit was immediately flipped to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-round draft pick.

There was talk Filppula was uninterested in a reunion with Mike Babcock, who instructed him while he was a member of the Detroit Red Wings.

Filppula dismissed that theory Thursday.

"I heard the stories, but that's not the case," he told Sami Hoffren. "I don't have anything against Toronto"