Maple Leafs Could Be Quietly Preparing a $6M Move to Reshape the Roster
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
According to NHL Insider James Mirtle, the Toronto Maple Leafs could make a roster move still due to the timing of things, and how the team can still get a deal done.
All the discussion this offseason centred around the Toronto Maple Leafs and whether they are going to add someone to their top-six or not, especially in the wake of losing Mitch Marner and his immense offensive production.
They are running out of time and certainly don't have the cap or roster space to necessitate a deal, however there are still pieces the team can use if they wanted to mortgage their future.
However, according to NHL Insider James Mirtle, if the team really wanted to make a move they can; and they have the means to do it.
How Toronto Can Unlock $6 Million in Flexibility
In his recent article outlining some positives to look forward to for the Maple Leafs, the topic of making a move to improve things up front came up and Mirtle was very straightforward:
This Leafs lineup is not yet set. Robertson's name is already out there in trade talk, and they may move out Kämpf or Calle Järnkrok, too, in the weeks to come.
If they need it, the Leafs can easily free up an extra $4 million or so in cap space, giving them more than $6 million with which to make an addition.
They'd like that to be additional help up front: ideally a top-line winger to slot in alongside Knies and Matthews; but a lot depends on what becomes available. The Leafs don't have a ton of assets in terms of picks and prospects to deal, but they have more room to get creative financially than they have in many moons.
If they need it, the Leafs can easily free up an extra $4 million or so in cap space, giving them more than $6 million with which to make an addition.
They'd like that to be additional help up front: ideally a top-line winger to slot in alongside Knies and Matthews; but a lot depends on what becomes available. The Leafs don't have a ton of assets in terms of picks and prospects to deal, but they have more room to get creative financially than they have in many moons.
It's going to take a lot more work for the team to get a deal done, and it might have to take on some lesser pieces in addition to their target to make a trade work; but Brad Treliving's history shows he isn't shy about making a splash.
What a $6 Million Swing Could Mean for the Top Line
For Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, it means that they can have themselves a steady replacement as opposed to a potential revolving door of players like Max Domi, Matias Maccelli and even William Nylander.
Bringing in a player like Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell could be the answer. Both men make under that $6-million threshold that Mirtle mentions and both would offer a reliable scoring presence albeit with a bit different of a skillset.
Rust has played next to Sidney Crosby for years and his ability to be in the right position at the right time has benefited him greatly; something that won't change with Matthews at pivot.
Rakell offers more of a physical game with a tendency to score more albeit at a much less steady rate; he'll explode for a stretch but drop off at times whereas Rust remains remarkably consistent.
The trade offer won't really be too painful either especially knowing they are dealing with a Pittsburgh team who is likely throwing in the towel for the chance at Gavin McKenna; so they wanna ship out their veterans ASAP.
A $6-million swing doesn't sound like it could be enough to make a splash for Toronto, but if they play their cards right and a bit of luck on their side they can absolutely make that trade.
The only question will be: Do they actually pull the trigger?
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 13 | 1093 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Could Be Quietly Preparing a $6M Move to Reshape the Roster Will Toronto end up making a move before the season starts? | ||
| Yes | 719 | 65.8 % |
| No | 374 | 34.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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