Maple Leafs Likely to Lose Two Key Forwards This Off Season
Cap Problems in Toronto.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a bit of a jam. There are 17 days before the opening of the free agent market, and there are still 20 UFAs and RFAs on their roster.
With their tight salary cap, it's expected that they won't be able to sign them all.
There's also the whole situation with Auston Matthews and William Nylander, whose contracts will end next year.
But back to this year. Some free agents have generated more interest than others, such as Ilya Samsonov, Noel Acciari, Alexander Kerfoot, Michael Bunting, Ryan O'Reilly, and David Kampf.
It seems unlikely that they can keep them all. Even if they trade away assets to gain cap flexibility, it will never be enough to keep them all.
Two Key Forwards Likely to Leave
Frank Seravalli revealed that the Leafs will probably lose two interesting free agents: Ryan O'Reilly and Michael Bunting.
"Ryan O'Reilly - I don't know why people seemed to doubt this from the moment I said it back when the trade was made... There was next to no chance that he was re-signing [in Toronto].
Michael Bunting - I think they'd like to, they just can't afford it. He's sort of the next Zach Hyman." Brad Treliving has some tough choices to make, but let's hope he doesn't waste too much time on lost causes.
Also, negotiations with Matthews will probably dictate how the rest of the payroll will look.
As seen on Maple Leafs Daily -
Insider points to two pending UFAs in Toronto who are more likely to go to the open market
POLL |
Who would you rather keep in Toronto? |
O'Reilly | 1400 | 82.5 % |
Bunting | 296 | 17.5 % |
List of polls |
|
1 hour ago | By Chris Gerics Update on Sean Durzi's Injury Should Kickstart Utah HC's Trade Talks With the Toronto Maple Leafs |
|
3 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Arber Xhekaj Sends a Clear Warning to the Rangers and Jacob Trouba Following the Hit on Justin Barron |
|
3 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Toronto Maple Leafs Insider Gives Update Regarding Max Pacioretty's Injury Status |
|
4 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente John Tortorella at the Center of Pressing Issues in Philadelphia |
|
4 hours ago | By Chris Gerics NHL's Punishment Problem: George Parros' Anti-Leafs Bias and Inconsistent Rulings in the Case of Ekman-Larsson |
|
5 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion Conor Sheary Placed On Waivers In Shocking Move |
|
6 hours ago | By Chris Gerics The NHL Makes a Decision on Max Domi's Questionable Punch to the Back of the Head of Adam Fantilli |
|
7 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Maple Leafs Are on the Verge of Making a Major Mistake with Matthew Knies |
Previously on HockeyPatrol