Latest Maple Leafs, Sabres, Avalanche and Devils news for your Thanksgiving Monday (if you're Canadian) or Columbus Day (if you're American). My apologies to my readers outside North America if I've missed noting your holiday Monday...;)

TORONTO STAR: Damien Cox suggests "bold moves", like demoting struggling goalie Vesa Toskala and winger Jason Blake, to free up cap space for depth elsewhere in the Maple Leafs roster could prevent a possibly disastrous season for the club. By doing so GM Brian Burke could then seek out experienced players other teams want to dump (Cox suggests a call to the maxed-out Chicago Blackhawks) plus perhaps a suitable free agent.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: 1. It's far too early in the season to hit the panic button. 2. The Leafs are rebuilding and making the playoffs was a long shot anyway. 3. Most teams don't like to bury over $8 million in salary in the minors. 4. There really isn't much available in the UFA market worth signing. 5. Teams which could look at dumping salary won't be doing it at this point in the season, especially Chicago, and 6. Making those kind of bold moves Cox suggests are easier said than done.

BUFFALO NEWS: Bucky Gleason yesterday reported a source in Edmonton claimed the Edmonton Oilers would love to ship defenseman Tom Gilbert to the Buffalo Sabres for forward Drew Stafford if the Sabres were interested as they've coveted Stafford since he entered the league. Gleason however scoffs at the possibility, noting Gilbert will make $3 million more than Stafford in 2010-11.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: The Sabres as a rule tend to avoid adding significant salary from other clubs, especially via trade, plus they're probably not that keen to move Stafford.

DENVER POST: Adrian Dater in a response to a reader's e-mail listed veterans Avs like Darcy Tucker, Brett Clark and Ruslan Salei as potential March trade deadline "trade bait" given they're in the final year of their respective contracts but adds it's too early to start that speculation and we should revisit this later in the season.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: Agreed. Any potential moves leading up to the trade deadline for the Avs will depend on where the club sits in the standings and if it's worthwhile to make any moves by that time.

NEW YORK POST: Mark Everson reports the New Jersey Devils demoted Brendan Shanahan to the minors to wipe his $1 million salary from their books and when he declined to report the club was free to terminate their agreement with him.

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