Leaf Rocket
Leaf Fan Till I Die
My biggest concern aside from whoever gets him to figure out how to be best utilized for the post season is...
How we can get the grinders and potentially a top 4 defensemen that is steady both ways...
Post-Game Talk: 2023-2024 Leafs Roster/Changes/Turnovers & Replacement(s)
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How we can get the grinders and potentially a top 4 defensemen that is steady both ways...
Giving up WAY too much.
O'Reilly, Schenn, Kerfoot and more: What we're hearing about the Maple Leafs' free agents
As we wait for the next Leafs GM to be named, here's what we're hearing about the Maple Leafs' free agents.
theathletic.com
If Treliving ends up being the GM Shanahan hires, and if he is presented with the option to sign Luke Schenn to an extension, there is at least some genuine familiarity with the player.
What kind of number would Schenn be looking for, though?
Schenn is 33. Before his last deal, he had been on three straight one-year contracts. If he may be looking for something longer than a one-year deal at around $2 million per year.
My sense is Schenn would like to return to Toronto and isn’t fazed by the pressures that come with playing for this team. He adapted seamlessly to the team, relying on his familiarity after his first four seasons were spent with the Leafs.
…………….
It’s believed the Leafs engaged in some informal discussions with David Kampf about re-signing in Toronto this season. Like many players on this list, Kampf would be open to a return to the Leafs but the team’s salary cap situation closer to July 1 could dictate whether that happens. He may want to double his current AAV.
..................
The Leafs did not engage in any meaningful contract discussions with Alex Kerfoot during the season. If his salary demands stay in the same ballpark as his last contract, there will inevitably be teams coveting his services. He’s a mature, respected locker room voice and the door hasn’t completely closed on Kerfoot taking his voice back to Toronto, either.
....................
One thing I wonder: If Ryan O’Reilly and the Leafs aren’t able to come to terms on an extension, would a return to St. Louis make sense for him?
The Blues look to have just under $5-million in cap space as it stands, which might make things tight. Blues GM Doug Armstrong said in his year-end availability that he hasn’t decided if his team will have a captain next season, before dropping one little hint worth noting: “I guarantee we won’t be announcing one in the next few months.”
Is it possible Armstrong waits to see if O’Reilly is available and tries to bring the former Blues captain back?
..................
Noel Acciari may be in for a modest raise but if the Leafs can get Acciari on a similar number to his current deal, that’s an avenue they should explore.
.................
After back-to-back seasons with 23 goals on a measly $950,000 cap hit, Michael Bunting has earned a serious raise on a longer-term deal — perhaps at an AAV of more than $5 million. It feels unlikely he gets that raise from the Leafs.
“That’s the unfortunate part of this business, when contracts are up and decisions have to be made. To be honest, I haven’t even really thought about it,” Bunting said during season-end media availability.
Bunting said he did not have any contract extension discussions with the Leafs during the season. He spoke with a sense of finality during that availability.
“Coming home, playing in Toronto, it’s been a dream of mine,” Bunting said. “It’s been pretty special to play here.”
With a .919 save percentage, Ilya Samsonov put together the best season of his career, making good on the one-year, $1.8-million bet on himself he made. He usurped Matt Murray for the starting role during the season and became a likable character around the team.
Crucially, Samsonov is an RFA and the Leafs control his rights. You have to believe he’s seen as an important part of the Leafs’ future moving forward, but let’s not forget: Samsonov was also an RFA with the Capitals and they did not opt to re-sign him. It’s believed Samsonov would like to stay in Toronto.
Talks between Samsonov and the Leafs will likely begin at the NHL’s draft combine in early June.
Samsonov has earned the right to seek a long-term deal, if that’s what he’s after. He’s eligible for arbitration, but I don’t think that’s a road he’d prefer to go down.
Throughout Justin Holl’s entire eight-season tenure in the Leafs organization, he was one of Dubas’ guys. It’s worth remembering here that when Holl was playing his best hockey for the Leafs, all the credit went to Dubas for unearthing him from the ECHL.
And so, with Dubas no longer the GM, it feels likely Holl moves on. He provided good value for his $2-million cap hit and though he should be due for a raise, as a right-shot defender who can move the puck and kill penalties, he likely will (and should) attract suitors throughout the league.
......................
It doesn’t sound like there’s been any communication from the Leafs to Erik Gustafsson about a possible return now that his one-year $800,000 contract is up. Gustafsson hopes to land a multi-year deal, is due for raise and there are six Leafs defencemen signed for next season. That could change with a new GM, of course. We’ll see.
SprDaVE
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- Sep 20, 2008
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O'Reilly, Schenn, Kerfoot and more: What we're hearing about the Maple Leafs' free agents
As we wait for the next Leafs GM to be named, here's what we're hearing about the Maple Leafs' free agents.
If Treliving ends up being the GM Shanahan hires, and if he is presented with the option to sign Luke Schenn to an extension, there is at least some genuine familiarity with the player.
What kind of number would Schenn be looking for, though?
Schenn is 33. Before his last deal, he had been on three straight one-year contracts. If he may be looking for something longer than a one-year deal at around $2 million per year.
My sense is Schenn would like to return to Toronto and isn’t fazed by the pressures that come with playing for this team. He adapted seamlessly to the team, relying on his familiarity after his first four seasons were spent with the Leafs.
…………….
It’s believed the Leafs engaged in some informal discussions with David Kampf about re-signing in Toronto this season. Like many players on this list, Kampf would be open to a return to the Leafs but the team’s salary cap situation closer to July 1 could dictate whether that happens. He may want to double his current AAV.
..................
The Leafs did not engage in any meaningful contract discussions with Alex Kerfoot during the season. If his salary demands stay in the same ballpark as his last contract, there will inevitably be teams coveting his services. He’s a mature, respected locker room voice and the door hasn’t completely closed on Kerfoot taking his voice back to Toronto, either.
....................
One thing I wonder: If Ryan O’Reilly and the Leafs aren’t able to come to terms on an extension, would a return to St. Louis make sense for him?
The Blues look to have just under $5-million in cap space as it stands, which might make things tight. Blues GM Doug Armstrong said in his year-end availability that he hasn’t decided if his team will have a captain next season, before dropping one little hint worth noting: “I guarantee we won’t be announcing one in the next few months.”
Is it possible Armstrong waits to see if O’Reilly is available and tries to bring the former Blues captain back?
..................
Noel Acciari may be in for a modest raise but if the Leafs can get Acciari on a similar number to his current deal, that’s an avenue they should explore.
.................
After back-to-back seasons with 23 goals on a measly $950,000 cap hit, Michael Bunting has earned a serious raise on a longer-term deal — perhaps at an AAV of more than $5 million. It feels unlikely he gets that raise from the Leafs.
“That’s the unfortunate part of this business, when contracts are up and decisions have to be made. To be honest, I haven’t even really thought about it,” Bunting said during season-end media availability.
Bunting said he did not have any contract extension discussions with the Leafs during the season. He spoke with a sense of finality during that availability.
“Coming home, playing in Toronto, it’s been a dream of mine,” Bunting said. “It’s been pretty special to play here.”
With a .919 save percentage, Ilya Samsonov put together the best season of his career, making good on the one-year, $1.8-million bet on himself he made. He usurped Matt Murray for the starting role during the season and became a likable character around the team.
Crucially, Samsonov is an RFA and the Leafs control his rights. You have to believe he’s seen as an important part of the Leafs’ future moving forward, but let’s not forget: Samsonov was also an RFA with the Capitals and they did not opt to re-sign him. It’s believed Samsonov would like to stay in Toronto.
Talks between Samsonov and the Leafs will likely begin at the NHL’s draft combine in early June.
Samsonov has earned the right to seek a long-term deal, if that’s what he’s after. He’s eligible for arbitration, but I don’t think that’s a road he’d prefer to go down.
Throughout Justin Holl’s entire eight-season tenure in the Leafs organization, he was one of Dubas’ guys. It’s worth remembering here that when Holl was playing his best hockey for the Leafs, all the credit went to Dubas for unearthing him from the ECHL.
And so, with Dubas no longer the GM, it feels likely Holl moves on. He provided good value for his $2-million cap hit and though he should be due for a raise, as a right-shot defender who can move the puck and kill penalties, he likely will (and should) attract suitors throughout the league.
......................
It doesn’t sound like there’s been any communication from the Leafs to Erik Gustafsson about a possible return now that his one-year $800,000 contract is up. Gustafsson hopes to land a multi-year deal, is due for raise and there are six Leafs defencemen signed for next season. That could change with a new GM, of course. We’ll see.
I'd give Schenn some term to keep the cap hit lower. 2M per for 2 years seems fair for the most part but likely closer to 1.5M if we're pinching pennies. Acciari around the same number and term would be good as well. Both fit very well.
Zero interest in Kampf at 3M and with term. I like the guy but that's nuts.
Leafs’ best window to change Core Four is quickly closing. Will they be forced to run it back?
The Leafs are in more jeopardy than they’ve ever been, and closer than ever to not moving an inch, at their core. And a vacant GM job isn’t helping.
www.thestar.com
:format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/sports/leafs/opinion/2023/05/26/leafs-best-window-to-change-core-four-is-quickly-closing-will-they-be-forced-to-run-it-back/core_four.jpg)
Except this year, can that possibly be what you want? Any Core Four trade would be difficult, under any circumstances. John Tavares has a full no-move and will use it. Any other star trade is by definition hard: getting equal value, working under a deadline, and trying to give this team more big-game offence by trading big-time offensive players. Oh, and the Leafs don’t have a general manager to do any of this, of course.
But you can’t bring these guys back, can you? The window is tight: on July 1 Matthews and Marner get no-move clauses, and William Nylander’s trade list is reduced to 10 teams of his choosing.
Except as reported by Chris Johnston, the Core Four came away from phone calls with Shanahan after the Dubas firing thinking none of them would be moved before July 1. Maybe that was simply to calm the waters. Maybe Shanahan, who still wanted Dubas back until Thursday of last week, wasn’t in a position to say anything else.
But combined with Shanahan’s proviso in his Friday press conference — when faced with Dubas’s previous statement that everything would be on the table, Shanahan cautioned that decisions might not happen on other people’s timelines — and it seems ever more likely Toronto misses their best window to change the Core Four.
Maybe it’s just not plausible, with no GM and the current chaos. But after July 1 Matthews could walk to free agency without a deal and under a new regime, Marner and Tavares could forestall any moves, and the Leafs might only be able to explore a Nylander deal. And that would be in the final year of his contract, meaning he holds the leverage even beyond those 10 teams on his list.
Unless you believe this Core Four deserves another chance, it sure looks like this franchise meltdown happened at the worst possible time. Florida reaching the final doesn’t help because of the way the Leafs lost — kept to the perimeter too often, victims of their own worst habits in Game 1, and maybe crumpling under accumulated pressure of this franchise. Some of that, of course, is self-inflicted.
So now the pressure is on Shanahan. Former Flames GM Jim Treliving is said to be the favourite, and maybe he is. That would mean experience, a man who has worked in a Canadian market, and replacing a GM who won one first-round series in five years with a GM who won two first-round series in nine years in Calgary, and had to trade away the guy who has helped propel the Panthers to the Stanley Cup final.
Maybe it will be another GM who has to hit the ground at high speed, with 10 free agents and a lame-duck coaching staff and big questions in the air. The Leafs as we knew them are both in more jeopardy than they have ever been, and may be closer than ever to not moving an inch, at their core. And it’s hard to feel great about it.
PromisedLand
I need more FOOD
Leaf Rocket
Leaf Fan Till I Die
Alter on the Maple Leafs’ importance of taking accountability, the task at hand for the next GM and more - TSN.ca
Maple Leafs Reporter for SI and The Hockey News, David Alter joins Game Play to discuss his perspective of the general manager search, the importance of accountability from the Core Four, the task at hand for the next steps for the roster including contract and the financial situation, the free agency questions marks and fitting to the group.
Maple Leafs Reporter for SI and The Hockey News, David Alter joins Game Play to discuss his perspective of the general manager search, the importance of accountability from the Core Four, the task at hand for the next steps for the roster including contract and the financial situation, the free agency questions marks and fitting to the group.
Detroit instantly becomes a playoff team and we get a top 4 D i would need more from Detroit for sure
Leaf Rocket
Leaf Fan Till I Die
I still dont think they'll part with him...he just oozes potential and that is something they'd take a gamble unless Larkin vocally is like hey do it because he gushes about Marner.
Toronto Maple Leafs News | The Star
The best Toronto Maple Leafs coverage from Star columnists and reporters. Get your leafs news, scores, game coverage and more from thestar.com.
www.thestar.com
The following numbers are based on a cap ceiling of $83.5 million (U.S.) for the 2023-24 season, although the NHL may yet see a way to increase that.
The 10 Leafs entering free agency are projected to sign for a total average annual value of $31,669,528.29 next season. But as it stands, they only have $9,143,550 in cap space, according to capfriendly.com. That would rise to $14.7 million if defenceman Jake Muzzin ends up on long-term injured reserve, as expected, and even more if goalie Matt Murray is hurt, traded or bought out.
Using data from AFP Analytics and capfriendly.com, here’s a closer look at the 10 Leafs in play:
Ryan O’Reilly
Last deal $7.5-million average (seven years, $52 million)
AFP projects $5,482,238.89 average over three years (6.57 per cent of cap)
O’Reilly is 32 and probably looking at one last big payday. Championship pedigree and leadership add to his game. He’s probably most interested in winning, and might take a bit of a haircut. Ex-Leaf Tyler Bozak is a logical comparable. At 32, he signed a three-year, $15-million deal (6.29 per cent of the cap) with St. Louis to play a middle-six role.
The Star’s analysis If the Leafs can find a way to keep him, they should. But he’s probably the best centre on the market, so competition will be stiff.
Michael Bunting
Last deal $950,000 average (two years, $1.9 million)
AFP projects $5,261,168 average over five years (6.3 per cent of cap)
The Scarborough-born forward is 27 and is coming off back-to-back years of 23 goals. He only really broke into the league two years ago, but brings some of the intangibles teams look for: grit, draws penalties, can play on any line. Closest comparable: Jonathan Marchessault, a late bloomer who scored 57 goals over his first two full seasons and signed a six-year, $30-million deal (six per cent of the cap) with Vegas in 2018 at age 28.
The Star’s analysis The Leafs can’t afford him unless he takes a hometown discount. Matthew Knies may make him redundant.
Ilya Samsonov
Last deal One year, $1.8 million
AFP projects $5,004,191.30 average on a four-year deal (5.99 per cent of cap)
The 26-year-old Russian goalie is a restricted free agent, so the Leafs can try to play hardball and keep the salary in the $2-million range, but it would probably anger his camp and walk him to unrestricted free agency. Samsonov was terrific in one season with the Leafs, but doesn’t have a deep body of work. Still, Juuse Saros, third in last year’s Vezina Trophy voting, was in a similar position in 2021 when he re-signed with Nashville — a four-year, $20-million deal worth 6.06 per cent of the cap.
The Star’s analysis He’ll be re-signed and form a decent tandem with Joseph Woll.
Alex Kerfoot
Last deal $3.5-million average (four years, $14 million)
AFP projects $3,523,461.43 average on another four-year deal (4.22 per cent of cap)
The versatile 29-year-old forward might be the most popular guy in the room, with teammates and a coaching staff that can put him on any line. His offence tailed off, but his flexibility and defensive acumen will still be sought by lots of NHL teams. Colorado’s Lars Eller is similar, and his 2018 deal — $3.5-million average for five years (4.24 per cent of cap) — is about what Kerfoot can expect.
The Star’s analysis Kerfoot’s price tag is probably too much for what he brings to the Leafs, with Calle Järnkrok and Pontus Holmberg as cheaper replacements.
Erik Gustafsson
Last deal One year, $800,000
AFP projects $3,413,520.73 average on a three-year deal (4.09 per cent of cap)
You wouldn’t know it by how the Leafs used him — a frequent scratch — but the 31-year-old defenceman put up 42 points this past season (38 in Washington). That’s more than Morgan Rielly scored. Teams will come looking for a blueliner who can run a power play, even if he is deficient in his own end. Think Kevin Shattenkirk, who signed a three-year, $11.7-million deal with Anaheim (4.73 per cent of the cap) at age 31.
The Star’s analysis Would have liked to have seen more of him on the ice, but can’t see him coming back next season.
Justin Holl
Last deal $2-million average (three years, $6 million)
AFP projects $3,028,145.65 average on a three-year deal (3.63 per cent of cap)
Six-foot-four defencemen who shoot right-handed don’t grow on trees. Holl is as polarizing a defenceman as the Leafs have had since Larry Murphy, but there are stretches when his upside more than balances out his weaknesses. He’s 31 with some good years left. Former Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving — who has been linked to the vacant Leafs job — signed a similar player, Deryk Engelland, to a three-year, $8.75-million contract (3.54 per cent of the cap back then) in 2014.
The Star’s analysis Holl developed a bad habit of being on the ice when the Leafs were scored on. He should look for renewal elsewhere.
David Kämpf
Last deal $1.5-million average (two years, $3 million)
AFP projects $1,776,023.03 average on a two-year deal (2.13 per cent of cap)
Kämpf is a forward who prides himself on defence and has been a trusted penalty killer, the kind of player a coaching staff relies on. His offence lacks, but has improved with age. At 29, he probably has a few good years left of doing exactly what he’s been doing, which has value — perhaps a slight salary bump, keeping pace with the rising cap. Fellow Czech Tomáš Nosek signed a two-year, $3.5-million contract with the Boston Bruins in 2021 (2.12 per cent of cap).
The Star’s analysis The Leafs will pay him, or pay somebody like him — a low-maintenance player who delivers value — the same money. Keep him.
Luke Schenn
Last deal $850,000 average (two years, $1.7 million)
AFP projects $1,559,678.79 average on a four-year deal (1.87 per cent of cap)
Schenn is 34, but has been at the peak of his game. Before a trade from Vancouver, he helped Quinn Hughes get better. And Rielly was at his best with Schenn in the playoffs. Nick Holden had a similar career when he signed a two-year, $3.4-million contract with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020 (2.06 per cent of cap).
The Star’s analysis A reborn Schenn might get north of what AFP projects. The Leafs should be willing to pay it.
Noel Acciari
Last deal One year, $1.25 million
AFP projects $1,539,290 average on a four-year deal (1.84 per cent of cap)
The 32-year-old cookie-loving forward was as good as advertised after a trade from St. Louis, one of the top role players in the game. Nick Bonino’s recent deal in San Jose — two years, $4.1 million (2.5 per cent of cap) at age 33 — is a close comparison.
The Star’s analysis The Leafs had wanted him for years. Finally got him. They should keep him.
Zach Aston-Reese
Last deal One year, $840,630
AFP projects $1,081,810.47 average on two-year deal (1.3 per cent of cap)
The depth forward will be 29 when next season starts and provides a fair bit of energy when he’s on his game, but was a frequent scratch after the trade deadline. Riley Sheahan’s one-year deal at age 30 in Seattle’s inaugural season — $850,000 (1.04 per cent of cap) — is a close comparable.
The Star’s analysis When the coach would rather play a seventh defenceman than you, it’s time to move on.
justashadowof
Registered User
- Aug 15, 2020
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One thing I'll keep circling back to is that the 2022-23 Leafs' playoff roster was older than the Florida Panthers. I get what had to be done with adding experience on the cheap to make that team work but in the end having some robust youth is more ideal.
Captain Crunch
Registered User
- Mar 31, 2019
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Probably we say no. Wilson, in his prime, was talented and played heavy. However, he is now 29, and signing him to a 6 year contract would not be wise. Also, can someone tell me if he has stayed relatively healthy the last few years?
ShaneFalco
Registered User
The team has no.real identity. Not fast anymore, not a relentless forecheck team, not a physical team
Captain Crunch
Registered User
- Mar 31, 2019
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To me, it’s plain and simple, you can’t build a true Cup contending team when you have 4 forwards (of which now only one plays center) making over $40 million. Trade Marner because he gets you a better return than Nylander, takes up more cap room, and disappears at crucial times in the playoffs. However, Nylander may also need to be traded if he wants more than $9 million on his next contract.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 80,855
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Seider projects to be something like their answer to Hedman, so I think it would be unlikely we got him. But they do have Simon Edvinsson who is their Pietrangelo type guy as well. I don't see a trade fit but those are interesting defensive pieces for sure.
ShaneFalco
Registered User
Especially when none of them play a physical game
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 80,855
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The big issue with the Big 4 and salary allocation is we can't pay that specific group $40 million and win.
Captain Crunch
Registered User
- Mar 31, 2019
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I think he said that so that other teams wouldn’t think that they had him over a barrel, or at least that’s what I’m hoping.
That’s true, so even more reason to do it.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 80,855
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I'd be interested in checking up on these UFA options:
-Connor Brown (feels like he should be a Leaf).
-Max Domi (maybe his dad will call out the Leafs like Walt did for FLA).
-J.T. Compher
-Tyler Bertuzzi
-Alex Killorn
-Corey Perry (yes, still)
-Miles Wood
-Andreas Johnsson (yes, to bring him back for cheap finesse and speed).
-Ivan Barbashev
-Adam Erne
-Evan Rodrigues
-Tomas Nosek (the other David Kampf).
-Phil Kessel (why not have fun?)
-Ryan Graves
-Radko Gudas
-Carson Soucy
-Niko Mikkola
-Nick Holden
-Joonas Korpisalo (if we needed a goalie)
-Connor Brown (feels like he should be a Leaf).
-Max Domi (maybe his dad will call out the Leafs like Walt did for FLA).
-J.T. Compher
-Tyler Bertuzzi
-Alex Killorn
-Corey Perry (yes, still)
-Miles Wood
-Andreas Johnsson (yes, to bring him back for cheap finesse and speed).
-Ivan Barbashev
-Adam Erne
-Evan Rodrigues
-Tomas Nosek (the other David Kampf).
-Phil Kessel (why not have fun?)
-Ryan Graves
-Radko Gudas
-Carson Soucy
-Niko Mikkola
-Nick Holden
-Joonas Korpisalo (if we needed a goalie)
notdoneyet
Registered User
So tired of the trade marner keep willy because he is a playoff warrior. Mitch is afraid willy is not
11games this year
MM 3-11 14 points +8. 18 hits
AM 5-6 11 points +3. 38 hits
JT 4-4 8 points -1. 26 hits
Wonder boy everyone’s hero
WN 4-6 10 points -4. 3 hits lol
-4. 3 hits lol what a hero
11games this year
MM 3-11 14 points +8. 18 hits
AM 5-6 11 points +3. 38 hits
JT 4-4 8 points -1. 26 hits
Wonder boy everyone’s hero
WN 4-6 10 points -4. 3 hits lol
-4. 3 hits lol what a hero
ULF_55
Moderator
No you trade marner because you get a better return.
Actually, you trade Matthews because both marner and Nylander outscored (goals) him in the 2nd. round. And you pick up a defensive forward to replace him for 1/4 the cost.
2nd. round
Nylander - 3 points (2 goals)
marner - 3 points (1 goal)
Matthews - 2 points (0 goals)
Actually, you keep them all and get a coach.
notdoneyet
Registered User
Well you have to ask the question
How much will nylander want
Why should he take less than 10 million
I would trade matthews if he wants more than 13 million
Matthews fot keller crouse and 6th overall
Hope michkov is still there at 6
ToneDog
56 years and counting. #FireTheShanaClan!
Tkachuk signed for 9.5x8 coming off a 105 point season. Why is Willie worth more when his best is 86 points ?? This guy wasted the first year and a half of his last contract and was made whole. Time to put a stop to the insanity. Trade them if they want more than their comparables .
Buds17
Registered User
- Nov 29, 2015
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AAVs can be tough to project because they should be based on term. I'm not necessarily expecting either of Nylander or Matthews to sign for max term now since neither did so during the previous round of negotiations. If so, I can likely still envision Matthews at 13M but probably not Nylander at 10M.
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