Maple Leafs shock with high asking price for Nicolas Roy

The Toronto Maple Leafs have set an asking price for center Nicolas Roy and are demanding a premium deal, according to reports.

On Tuesday's edition of "Ray & Dregs," TSN's Darren Dreger revealed that the belief is that Roy, 29, will be traded — but before that, no one expected it or saw him as a candidate to be moved.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported on Wednesday that the Leafs are seeking to get a first-round pick and a prospect to let go of Roy.

"Sources say asking price for Maple Leafs' Nicolas Roy has held steady at a first-round pick plus a prospect — and Toronto is not willing to retain salary at that price. Roy has one year left on his deal at $3 million," Seravalli wrote.

Maple Leafs seeking first-round pick, prospect for Nicolas Roy

As Seravalli detailed, besides the first-round pick and the prospect they demand, the Maple Leafs would not be willing to retain any percentage of Roy's salary, unless the benefit were greater.

To tell the truth, the Leafs' demands are exorbitant. It's not that Roy doesn't have the capabilities to generate a significant impact on another team. Perhaps he does, but it hasn't been that way with Toronto.

In 58 games, Roy has scored five goals and recorded 15 assists for a total of 20 points. This underwhelming performance is due in part to the third-line center role he assumes under head coach Craig Berube.

That said, what Toronto is asking for in return for him does not correspond to a player of his role and importance, at least currently.

Furthermore, it's not like it's urgent to "get rid" of Roy. He is in his fourth year of a five-year, $3 million AAV deal. There are other players, like winger Bobby McMann or center Scott Laughton, who are in the final year of their contracts and, objectively speaking, have not lived up to expectations.