TORONTO -- Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Thursday that hes confident hell have financial flexibility should he need it later in the season. Anthopoulos, who held a media availability before his team opened a four-game series against Kansas City, was asked about an online report by columnist Peter Gammons that quoted him saying the team is "pretty much maxed out" in terms of payroll. "Were at our number to start the year," Anthopoulos explained to reporters. "Thats fair so I dont think it varies from anything else weve ever said." The Blue Jays, who have a payroll of about US$135 million, dont have a locked-in salary ceiling. If a situation presented itself, it appears there would be room to heighten it if needed. Toronto has been one of the surprises of the American League this season, rising to the top of the East division and taking a nine-game winning streak into Thursdays game. Talk of potential upgrades and loading up for a post-season run is already underway in the playoff-starved city even though the season is barely one-third old. Anthopoulos said while its still quite early, he does not expect to be hamstrung when it comes to finances. "I have every confidence that if we have a need come the trade deadline, which is obviously late July, I have every confidence that well have the resources to do that," Anthopoulos said. "I dont have any doubts about that at all." The teams purse strings were in the news last April when reports surfaced that some Toronto players discussed deferring portions of their salary to help land Ervin Santana. The free agent pitcher ended up signing with Atlanta for the same one-year US$14-million deal offered by the Jays. But Anthopoulos stressed that if something came up in the next month or two, he feels the team could take on salary if required. "We may need to be creative, we may need to do some things," he said. "But weve been able to add payroll when needed." One potential upgrade area is the starting rotation, which has improved significantly this season despite Brandon Morrow going on the 60-day disabled list and a variety of pitchers handling the No. 5 spot. Anthopoulos gave credit to his starters and said their performance will be key going forward. "I know the offence has been great, were hitting home runs and all that, its fun to watch," he said. "But we will go as far as the rotation will bring us, there is no doubt about that." The Blue Jays could get an in-house upgrade if Morrow is able to return to form. "Well have more of a report by the end of June," Anthopoulos said. "Hes going to be back around the all-star break and by late June, he should be going out on a rehab assignment. So I think it could actually time well." For now, Anthopoulos is focusing on preparations for next weeks draft. He expects GMs to pick up trade discussions once the selection process is complete. "Were not having any active talks at all," Anthopoulos said. "Were really immersed in the draft right now. But I do expect once that draft is over and we get to the Monday after the draft, I think thats when everyone is going to start making the calls again." The teams play over the next month will determine the GMs next move. But again, Anthopoulos doesnt believe money will be an issue. "I think if were in a good position at the beginning of July, well know the landscape a little bit more with what our needs are," he said. "I have every confidence in the world that I can have that conversation with (president) Paul (Beeston), and Paul has that conversation with ownership. "But one, we need to be playing well at that time and were still very far away from that (date)." Chicago White Sox Shirts . The Montreal Alouettes announced Tuesday that they have acquired the return specialist from Calgary, as well as the Stampeders fifth-round draft pick in the 2014 CFL Canadian Draft. 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A larger-than-life personality known for his intimidating style in the 18-yard box, Schmeichels career spanned some 20 years -- including a memorable tenure at Manchester United.Division: Pacific GM: Don Maloney Head Coach: Dave Tippett 2013-14: 37-30-15 (4th in Pacific) Playoffs: Did not qualify Goals For: 210 (20th) Goals Against: 224 (18th) PP: 19.9% (4th) PK: 79 (26th) That Was Then: The newly-minted Arizona Coyotes missed the playoffs for the second straight season in 2013-2014. A late-season seven-game losing skid, due in part to an injury to goaltender Mike Smith, led to the Coyotes demise. With 11 games remaining in the regular season, the Coyotes sat in the second and final wild card spot in the Western Conference ahead of the Dallas Stars. In a Mar. 24 game against the New York Rangers, defenceman Derek Morris nudged Rangers forward Derick Brassard late in the third period, causing Brassard to fall onto Smiths legs, knocking him out of the game and the season. Thomas Greiss came in relief that night, allowing the tying goal and the winning goal in overtime. Greiss did manage to win the next two games for the Coyotes, but lost the next seven (three in overtime or shootout) and the Coytoes missed the playoffs by just two points. Even if Smith had been healthy down the stretch, they still had problems putting the puck in the net. While they were fourth in the NHL in power play percentage (19.1 per cent), they only managed to score 210 total goals and were 20th in the league in that category. Defenceman Keith Yandle was the teams highest point producer with 53, including eight goals and 45 assists. Radim Vrbata led all forwards in points with 51, while Antoine Vermette scored the most goals (24). Mike Ribeiro had a down year and always reliable captain Shane Doan missed time with a rare bout of Rocky Mountain Fever. On the plus side, 24-year-old Mikkel Boedker broke through with his best season yet as a pro. He scored 19 goals and added 32 assists, both career highs. Blueliner Oliver Ekman-Larsson had a stellar campaign as well, scoring 15 goals and adding 29 assists in just his fourth NHL season. Another positive for Arizona was the play of Smith. After two solid seasons in Glendale, the Coyotes awarded him with a six-year extension going into last season. Smith appeared in 62 games, recording a 27-21-10 record with a 2.64 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. His stellar play earned him a spot on Canadas gold medal-winning Olympic team in Sochi. Scott Cullens Analytics Coyotes 2013-14 Stats by Quarter Games GPG GAA SH% SV% SAF% PTS% 1-20 3.15 3.00 9.0 .929 47.4% .725 21-41 2.52 2.71 7.2 .924 52.6% .488 42-62 2.29 2.43 5.4 .928 49.8% .439 63-82 2.25 2.30 7.0 .932 49.6% .550 NHL AVG 2.67 2.67 7.8 .922 50.0% .562 Key: GPG= goals per game, GAA= goals-against per game, SH%= even-strength shooting percentage, SV%= even-strength save percentage, SAF%= score-adjusted Fenwick percentage (differential of shot attempts faced vs. shot attempts, excluding blocked shots, adjusted for game score), PTS%= percentage of available points. Analysis: Games 1-20: Unusually high percentages, at both ends, and a 4-1 shootout record overpowered shaky possession stats. Games 21-41: Hit a rough patch offensively, winding up with a losing record despite solid goaltending and possession. Games 42-62: Goal-scoring crashed with, aside from a streaking Antoine Vermette, a really low finishing rate. Games 63-82: Continued to struggle offensively, while goaltending kept them competitive, it wasnt enough to reach the postseason. Key 2014 Additions: C Alexandre Bolduc, G Devan Dubnyk, D Andrew Campbell, RW B.J. Crombeen, C Sam Gagner, G Mike McKenna, C Joe Vitale Key 2014 Subtractions: LW Paul Bissonnette, G Thomas Greiss, C Jeff Halpern, LW Tim Kennedy, D Derek Morris, C Mike Ribeiro, RW Radim Vrbata This Is Now: While the geographical name for this team is different, the on-ice product looks a bit similar aside from a couple of changes. The Coyotes lost one of their top scorrers - Vrbata - to the Vancouver Canucks via free agency and bought out the remaining three years of Ribeiros contract after a lacklustre season in Glendale.dddddddddddd They did, however, bring in Sam Gagner. The 25-year-old centre had a down year with Edmonton in 2013-14, scoring just 10 goals and 27 assists with a minus-29 rating. The London, Ont. native has yet to reach the 50-point plateau - hitting a career high of 49 during his rookie campaign in 2007-08 - but may benefit from a change of scenery with his prime years still ahead. The Coyotes also added gritty forwards B.J. Crombeen (as part of the Gagner deal) and Joe Vitale to shore up the bottom six and goaltender Devan Dubnyk to back up Mike Smith after Thomas Greiss left for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Arizona is hoping for a big year out of forward Martin Erat, whom they acquired from the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline. The 32-year-old scored just twice over 17 games with the Coyotes, but is playing for a new contract this year as his current deal expires at seasons end. Erat has shown he can put the puck in the net in the past with the Nashville Predators and could do the same with a full year in the desert. Off the ice, the team named former Buffalo Sabres general manager Darcy Regier as senior vice-president and assistant general manager. Meanwhile, Dave Tippett enters his fifth season as the Coyotes bench boss and looks to get his team back to the playoffs for the first time since they lost to the Los Angeles Kings in the 2012 Western Conference Final. That wont be an easy feat, especially in the Pacific Division where California superpowers Los Angeles, San Jose and Anaheim are almost a lock to make the NHLs second season. DEPTH CHART Forwards Left Wing Centre Right Wing Mikkel Boedker Martin Hanzal Martin Erat Lauri Korpikoski Antoine Vermette Shane Doan Rob Klinkhammer Sam Gagner David Moss Brandon McMillan Kyle Chipchura B.J. Crombeen Lucas Lessio Joe Vitale Jordan Szwarz Max Domi Henrik Samuelsson Tobias Rieder Defence Left Right Oliver Ekman-Larsson Zbynek Michalek Keith Yandle Michael Stone David Schlemko Connor Murphy Brandon Gormley Chris Summers Andrew Campbell Dylan Reese Goaltenders Mike Smith Devan Dubnyk Mark Visentin Craigs List TSN Director of Scouting Craig Buttons Top Prospect: The NHL is a fast-paced league which requires players to do things at high speed and Max Domi is ideally suited to excel. With speed, quickness and real explosiveness in his skating, he can push the tempo. He is an excellent passer but his shot makes him a dual offensive threat. His ability to think, see the play and execute quickly will allow him to be a top line player in the NHL. Domi, selected 12th overall by Arizona in 2013, spent last season with the London Knights, his third in the OHL, and scored 34 goals with 59 assists over 61 games. Fantasy - Cullens Player to Watch - Sam Gagner It looked like 24-year-old Gagner might have been poised for a big year in 2013-2014, building on his career-best points-per-game production in the shortened 2012-2013 season, when he scored 38 points in 48 games. Those plans were derailed, however, when Gagner had his jaw broken by Zack Kassian in the preseason and Gagner missed nearly the entire first month of the season, then had no goals and one assist in his first seven games. He started behind due to injury and couldnt get on track, ending with a career-low 37 points in 67 games. ' ' '