Dreger: Maple Leafs' Santorelli could be target of Rangers at deadline

Though the Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly eager to open extension talks with versatile forward Mike Santorelli, there is also a chance that he'll be dealt at the trade deadline.

Santorelli, 29, has managed nine goals and 26 points for the Maple Leafs while filling in virtually everywhere in the lineup (second-line center? Sure! Third-line wing? OK!). His versatility, offensive punch, low salary cap-hit and mastery of the shootout should make him a valuable commodity on the market to a team on the bubble.

One bubble team to watch for in the Santorelli sweepstakes might be the New York Rangers, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

"They're looking for a centerman," Dreger said of the Rangers during an Insider Trading segment on Tuesday night, and there might be a Leaf connection here.

"Keep in mind that they tried to sign Mike Santorelli as an unrestricted free agent, but only had $1 million so the Leafs got him at $1.5. If things continue to go poorly for Toronto, maybe Santorelli becomes a deadline deal."

It would be at least somewhat ironic for Santorelli, a John Tortorella favorite during their brief time together in Vancouver, to don the red, blue and white on Pennsylvania Plaza in the post-Torts era.