Bruins and Leafs still talking.

The Bruins and Leafs are still talking trade and draft picks. It will be interesting to see how long this plays out? Looks like the Leafs are also regretting signing former SCSU Husky Jeff Finger to that rather large contract. There is no way that he is worth 3+ million a season.

DANGLING PICKS

Burke continues to probe middle ground with the Bruins to acquire Kessel for a package of draft picks. The Boston Globe echoed reports of the past few days that the Leafs are dangling two first-round picks and a second-rounder and would want at least a third-rounder coming back, but despite his salary cap crunch, GM Peter Chiarelli might also take a player from the Leafs.

Burke played down speculation that the Leafs are trying to force Boston's hand by insisting a deal gets done in a couple of days, before they go the offer sheet route. Boston could match a Leafs offer, but would then need to move other players to get under the cap to accommodate Kessel. A trade would net a better return for Boston.

To get his own house in order, Burke also said he will demote some players to the Marlies if they don't play to potential at camp, but that rarely has been an issue with White.

He beat the odds to stay with the Leafs last season, making the team as a right winger. He won the club's Bill Masterton Trophy nomination for his perseverance.

"Unfortunately, Whitey's in that group," Wilson said of the limbo Leafs. "When you have eight or nine NHL defenceman, they get to a point where they say: 'Do I have to prove myself again'? But there's nothing wrong with that. That's the way it should be."

Finger, signed to a four-year, $14-million US contract by the previous regime, also is looking over his shoulder.

"The competition should bring out the best in us," he said. "If it doesn't, I won't be playing much."