A clearly easier way of freeing up money in Toronto would be to get rid of Matt Murray. In fact, it may be one of their only options.
Getting Rid of Murray
Murray's as good as gone. If all the negotiations go well, Joseph Woll and Ilya Samsonov will be the goalie tandem next year in Toronto.
Murray's numbers aren't bad. If there's something in the Leafs' favor, it's this: when he was healthy, he played well. He's not a bad goalie, but his extensive injury history and his contract will hinder a trade. The Leafs will need to offer something else to anyone who'd take him.
This could be one of the last remaining issues that Brad Treliving has to deal with before next season.