The Toronto Maple Leafs shall be seen as contenders this season. Whether or not they can take the following step and discover success within the playoffs stays to be seen, however the group goes into the 2024-25 marketing campaign with a way they will leap that hurdle, even with many of the identical ahead core from a yr earlier than. To say a retool isn’t on their thoughts is placing it mildly.
However, what occurs if the Leafs get out of the beginning blocks slowly? What if key stars take a little bit of a step again or their newly-formed blue line doesn’t do what Brad Treliving and the entrance workplace hoped it will? What if the goaltending tandem of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll isn’t skilled sufficient to maintain tempo? Basically, what if the Shanaplan is lastly uncovered and the franchise is compelled to make a change in a market the place outcomes imply virtually every little thing?
Realizing some readers would possibly counsel I’m being excessively pessimistic, this text examines the concept the Leafs is perhaps caught. There are a number of tradeable names on the roster. Greater than that, far too many gamers management their destiny for the Maple Leafs to endure a severe retool, ought to they need to.
Large Contracts With Commerce Clauses
The primary issue to think about is that the Leafs put most of their eggs in a single basket. It’s a subject that has been lined to demise, however the truth Toronto has given almost 54% of this yr’s wage cap to 4 gamers is a matter. What makes issues extra difficult is that every one 4 of these gamers management whether or not they’re moved or not.
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Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Mitch Marner all have full no-move clauses. Every has stated they need to be in Toronto, and whereas it’s not identified what would change their minds, a retool most likely isn’t sufficient. On the blue line, Morgan Rielly has a full no-move that features a modified no-trade that begins in 2028-29. Chris Tanev was additionally given a no-move clause when he signed this offseason.
Max Domi was given a modified no-trade, as was David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok. On protection, Oliver Ekman-Larsson was given a modified no-trade, as had been each goaltenders (though they don’t kick in instantly).
Frankly, it will take a while to search out gamers on this roster who don’t have clauses that give them a point of management in commerce discussions. That severely hand-ties the Maple Leafs.
These Who Can Be Moved Gained’t Make a Dent
Assuming the entire gamers with no-trades and no-moves resolve to train the clauses of their agreements, the gamers who the Leafs might use as commerce bait aren’t precisely needle-movers. That’s an issue for any group that desires to make severe adjustments.
Ryan Reaves could possibly be dealt, however groups aren’t precisely lining as much as purchase a troublesome man who doesn’t present a lot else, makes an excessive amount of for too many seasons, and isn’t an NHL common. The Leafs knew they had been probably caught with this participant and gave him too huge a contract anyway.
Nick Robertson really needs to be traded and could possibly be, however the Leafs aren’t positive what the return could be and the group is being form of cussed about issues. He’s bought a better ceiling than some, however the window to get essentially the most out of this commerce has most likely handed, particularly since different groups have a eager consciousness Robertson isn’t pleased.
Timothy Liljegren is a commerce piece, however how a lot can he really get in return? In a rebuild, an honest decide. In a retool? That’s tougher to say.
The remainder of the group the Leafs would possibly think about using as commerce items are gamers the group would possibly need to preserve in the event that they go scorched earth. Bobby McMann appears to be a chunk that may garner a pleasant return, however he’s cheap and productive. Matthew Knies is perhaps one of many future core items of this roster and the Leafs could be out of their thoughts to maneuver him. The return must be unimaginable.
It could even be pointless in a retool/rebuild to maneuver items like Easton Cowan, Franser Minten, or a number of the prospects the Leafs have arising on protection.
All of that is proof that the Leafs have made their mattress and so they’re going to have to put in it. Until somebody with a no-move involves the group and leads the cost on a commerce (which appears unlikely), or the group lets everybody know they’re going full rebuild (additionally unlikely), this roster is just about set and so they’ll have little alternative however discover a option to win.
