Elliotte Friedman Shares Update on Maple Leafs Potential Buyout Plans
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Elliotte Friedman reports that the Maple Leafs do not intend to buyout any of their contracts this summer, an indication they may intend to trade them instead.
A lot of the talk about the Maple Leafs offseason has to do with the team potentially buying out some of their more unsavory contract such as Max Domi and David Kampf's as a means to open up both cap space and a roster spot.
Toronto not intending to use buyouts: Elliotte Friedman
However, that might not be on the table according to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman.
Speaking on his latest 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman reiterated his belief the Leafs might not end up buying their deals out:
"I don't think Toronto is going to do a buyout. I don't think they're going to go that way. One of the things about Tavares, which is three years at a bigger AAV, or you could go the Chris Tanev or Yanni Gourde way. I could see Toronto pitching that." - Elliotte Friedman
While he did speak a lot on a potential Tavares deal, the fact he believes Toronto is going to hold onto their deals could mean one of two options.
Toronto willing to risk trading; or keeping their bloated contracts
It's a bit of a double edged sword for Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs. If they keep Domi, Kampf, and Calle Jarnkrok then they are fairly cheap options for the team's bottom six, and they can hope next year they'll bounce back.
Jarnkrok was hurt most of the season and never really looked too comfortable, and Kampf dealt with injuries and was a healthy scratch for the playoffs.
Domi is the most egregious one, as he didn't really do much offensively and his defense left a lot to be desired.
But they all still have something to offer the team, whether it's defense, familiarity, or a veteran presence and after they get their bonuses, it makes them reasonable.
However, they're reasonable to the extent that the team should genuinely think about trading them, even for bit parts or picks.
Domi tanked his value over the last couple of seasons, and won't fetch much but could be used to grab a mid-level pick from a team who needs some bottom-line help like Dallas; a place he's had success before.
Meanwhile guys like Kampf and Jarnkrok can provide some veteran defensive help on the cheap, and Toronto needs roster and cap space in order to make the moves they need to this summer.
They are looking to change their DNA, and while it might not get the best return; getting rid of those three via trade is the best way to accelerate that change the team desperately needs.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 7 | 427 ANSWERS Elliotte Friedman Shares Update on Maple Leafs Potential Buyout Plans Do you think the Maple Leafs should buy out the contracts of Max Domi, Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf? | ||
| Yes | 244 | 57.1 % |
| No | 183 | 42.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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