PITTSBURGH -- The Maple Leafs are on Jonas Gustavsson's short list and he's coming to the city to get a closer look.
The 24-year-old Swedish phenom, who is regarded as the best goaltender not in the NHL, will visit the city in the next two weeks to decide where he wants to sign as a unrestricted free agent. Leafs general manager Brian Burke told reporters the club is one of three teams on Gustavsson's list.
"He's going to visit three cities, Toronto being one of them, and then make his choice," Burke said following the GMs meetings yesterday.
Reports indicate the Leafs, Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars have shown interest in Gustavsson, who has delayed making the trip to North America after the death of his mother.
The funeral will be held later this week and then he'll be ready to make the trip overseas.
The word is Gustavsson, who suited up for Farjestad in the Swedish Elite League last season, was a standout in the playoffs when he led the club to a championship.
GRABOVSKI TALKS
As for forward Mikhail Grabovski, the Leafs continue to hold contract talks with the restricted free agent, but they haven't made any progress. If Grabovski files for arbitration on July 15, then Burke said all contract talks will halt.
"I have really simple rules: Once a player files for arbitration, we go," Burke said. "There are no settlements on the courtroom steps, and the player has to know that. We are going to arbitration at that point. I respect the process; it's part of the CBA, and if the award is something we don't like, we have the option to walk away. Or, we have the option to peddle the player. But, Mikhail's a good kid and I'd like to keep him."
