The Toronto Maple Leafs have enough space for a star player …
The Toronto Maple Leafs have emerged as a more formidable team than initially anticipated, presenting them with a plethora of options to fortify their playoff-bound roster. Contrary to earlier expectations of struggling to assemble a complete NHL lineup, the Leafs have witnessed several positive developments, affording them newfound flexibility and depth.
Key contributors to this unforeseen depth include Timothy Liljegren, who is demonstrating readiness for an expanded role, Jake McCabe’s transformation from being deemed unplayable to highly effective, Connor Timmins establishing himself as a bona fide NHL player, the utility of Noah Gregor, and the compelling performance of Nick Robertson, prompting increased ice time under coach Sheldon Keefe. Even goaltender Martin Jones has stepped up to contribute meaningfully.
These five players have addressed lingering questions surrounding the team’s roster since training camp, doing so at minimal cost. Consequently, rather than scrambling to cobble together a playoff-worthy lineup through numerous acquisitions, the Leafs can now focus on strategically adding a select few players with the potential for more significant impact than their more budget-friendly counterparts. The reduced need for additional players also means the team can capitalize on substantial salary cap space if they choose to do so.
Presently, the Leafs already possess $4 million in available cap space due to John Klingberg’s season-ending injury, with the possibility of an additional $1.3 million if Ryan Reaves remains sidelined—an uncertainty that could potentially increase their financial flexibility. Moreover, exploring avenues to trade Ilya Samsonov, who earns $3.5 million, could further bolster the Leafs’ financial resources, especially if Joseph Woll assumes the starting goaltender position.
With Samsonov’s contract set to expire after the current season, facilitating a trade should prove relatively straightforward, potentially adding another $3.5 million to the Leafs’ available funds. Even the declining TJ Brodie, with a $5 million salary and an impending unrestricted free agent status, could become a trade asset, potentially unlocking an additional $5 million for Toronto.
In total, the Leafs could find themselves with at least $7.5 million in cap space, and possibly up to $12 million if they decide to part ways with Brodie. This financial flexibility positions the Leafs to make a significant splash in the market, potentially targeting impact players as teams face elimination from playoff contention.
While the prospect of acquiring two impact players with such financial freedom looms large, specific targets remain speculative. The article suggests Zach Werenski as an appealing option for fortifying the blue line, although the logistical challenge of securing such a deal without sacrificing key players like William Nylander is acknowledged. Additionally, Elias Lindholm is highlighted as an attractive option for the third-line center position.
Leave a Reply