ANAHEIM — That’s the thing about rumours. They tend to take on a life of their own. Recent rumours were sending Brandon Montour from Anaheim to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but there has been little more than speculation, and maybe some wishful thinking amongst the sports casters and writers who would love to see the Six Nations defensive specialist to add more firepower to the Leafs back end.
Not that that is a bad idea, but who would the Leafs put up for him that the Ducks need? It is on that point the rumour mill stops. The Ducks are pretty well off on the blue line, but need some more goal scoring from the forward lines. A Montour trade would be great for the Leafs, but not so much for the Ducks who have taken a cotton to him and will not let him go in a fire sale deal they don’t really need to make.
For now, Montour is just thinking about winning the next game in an Anaheim uniform and is not letting the talk disturb that goal and let the rest take care of itself.
Last Wednesday, Nov. 21, Montour earned his eighth assist, setting up Brantford’s Adam Henrique as the Ducks won 4-3 over the Vancouver Canukes.
Sunday, Montour put up his 10th assist, setting up Henrique along with Rakell a power play goal in a 5-2 loosing effort. Tuesday, the Ducks were on the road to Tampa Bay. Heading into that game, the Ducks were in third place in the Pacific Conference with 10 wins and 10 ties along with five OT losses for a point each for 25 points, only one behind second place Dallas and three behind first place Winnipeg.
Montour now has two goals, 10 assists, for 12 points in 25 games. He is tied in points with Adam Henrique, but Henrique has six goals and six assists for 12 points. Getzlaf leads the Duck offence with six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 19 games played.
Judging from his output so far season, Anaheim got a bargain when they signed Montour to a two year deal worth $3,387,500. According to rumours in Anaheim, Montour is a keeper and ain’t going anywhere.
Rumours had Brandon Montour going to Toronto, but nothing has materialized and there has been no announcement made from either the Anaheim or Toronto camp. In the meanwhile, he is just going to work and doing his job.