As the clock winds down to zeros on Saturday night, so does the Toronto Maple Leafs training camp. From the crease to center ice, the Leafs have one of the best rosters they have had in a long time, maybe the best. The only problem is that Toronto is currently on the hook for $92.5 million. The NHL salary cap is $88 million. So, how do the Maple Leafs keep the players they want and stay true to the salary cap? Let’s take a look.
Leafs Have Decisions to Make on Bottom Six
The easy money to cut is the rookie money. Easton Cowan is an exciting prospect who will excite the fans in Toronto for a long time. But he is probably heading back to the OHL after a less flashy camp than last year and a lot of competition on the wing. They would love to have him play the allowed ten games in October, but the money probably won’t allow it. That’s $905,000 right there.
Next is Nikita Grebenkin, who, by all accounts, had a terrific training camp and is another name to look forward to watching. At this point, though, it is clear that he would get more development across the city with the Marlies than with the Leafs. He’s an everyday player in the AHL, where in the NHL, he would be in and out of the lineup, much like Robertson last year. That’s another $875,000.
Connor Dewar was a trade deadline pickup last year with some value in the bottom six and on the penalty kill. He had shoulder surgery this summer and has been extremely limited in camp. Treliving said on Thursday that he is still far away from playing, so LTIR seems to be in his near future. That would shave $1.18 million off the cap.
If the Leafs did those three things, that would be $3.58 million off of the aforementioned $92.5 million, making Toronto only $920,000 over the cap. That’s a good start, but right when you think you’re saving money, you remember that Pacioretty and Lorentz are still on PTOs and are trending to make this team. The Leafs won’t be paying a lot for these players. According to recent history, Pacioretty will probably get around $800,000, and Lorentz will get a minimum of $775,000. That’s $1.575 million. That brings the Leafs back to $2.495 million over the cap.
Leafs Have Limited Options on Defense
In the past, much has been made about the lack of depth on defense. Heading into the 24-25 season, the Leafs have the opposite problem, which is a good problem to have. Jani Hakanpaa has been dealing with a knee issue all summer and hasn’t played in any of the preseason games. The easiest decision would be to move him to LTIR, saving $1.47 million.
Connor Timmins belongs in the NHL, but constant injuries and the team’s belief in Timothy Liljegren have limited his playing time over the last couple of years. What makes Timmins any easy player to send down to the Marlies is that he is the most likely to clear waivers, freeing up another $1.1 million. However, between him and Liljegren, Timmons has clearly had the better camp, and the Leafs need another strong puck-moving defenseman on the back end.
That brings us to Liljegren, the most expensive player the Leafs can afford to lose. Liljegren has been given every opportunity to prove himself in Toronto, and something is still missing. Trading him would save $3 million, but with that price tag, the Leafs might have to sweeten the pot to get him off the books.
Marshal Rifai is a young prospect who has had a phenomenal camp, and has a cap hit of only $775,000. Philippe Myers is another prospect who has looked great this fall, and would also have a cap hit of $775,000. With this in mind, Myers is was dressed for the last preseason game on Saturday, showing us that GM Brad Trelving is weighing his options.
Final Thoughts/Conclusion (Pick one)
The quickest and easiest way to relieve cap space is to trade Liljegren. Granted, this is easier said than done, and at 25 years old, some would say it’s too soon to cut bait. The truth is, the Leafs have a plethora of young defensemen who not only could fill his role now but have more upside in the future.
The other trade possibility that hasn’t been mentioned is fourth-line center David Kampf, who carries a $2.4 million cap hit. If they keep Dewar, and he gets healthy sooner rather than later, he can more than makeup for Kampf’s absence on the fourth line. The Leafs have many options in the AHL who could fill a role until Dewar is healthy
A lot of this is speculation, and there are many different scenarios. The one thing we do know is that Matt Murray will be sent to the Marlies at the start of the year. Murray makes $875,000, so there is some guaranteed relief coming there. If Liljegren and Kampf are both traded, boom, you’re under the cap, but if the Leafs sign Pacioretty and Lorentz, more moves will have to be made. Rosters must be submitted by 5:00 pm EST on Monday, so we’ll see what happens.
For More Great Content
Craving top-tier content that covers it all? From electrifying sports highlights and insider entertainment news to expert gaming tips and sharp betting advice, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our curated articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the lowdown on gaming strategies that could level up your play.
Plus, our betting advice will sharpen your edge and boost your chances of winning big. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, our content is your go-to source for all things exciting and relevant. Don’t miss out—explore now and power up your knowledge! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports, to stay informed.
