With over $74MM tied up in 17 players heading into next season, none of whom are young star winger Mitch Marner, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in for a tough summer. It is clear that signing Marner is “priority one”, but what Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston points out is that in terms of not just importance, but also time. Speaking with Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, there was an understanding that Toronto cannot do much this off-season prior to signing Marner (or else moving him):
Without an answer on Mitch, we’re going to kind of be in a stalemate, right? It is a top priority because we’re not going to jump around and chew up our cap space that we may need for Mitch with fringe signings, either. It’s important. We’ve just got to get to work on it and get it done… It’s a tough process. It’s long, and just don’t expect anything to get done nice and smoothly. It’s always a battle.
Dubas has been adamant that the team will need to resolve the Marner situation by July 1st, one way or another, and for good reason. Following another early playoff exit, the team is hoping to improve this off-season and the free agent market, which opens on that date, will be one of their main opportunities. However, as Dubas notes, the team cannot make even fringe additions until Marner is signed and their salary cap status is clear. The team is expected to lose defenseman Jake Gardiner, but more affordable extensions with the likes of Ron Hainsey, Tyler Ennis, and Michael Hutchinson remain possible, yet harder to get done once those players hit the open market.
One other way to solve the cap crisis is via trade, but even that route is risky without clarity on Marner. While fans may prefer to see the likes of Nikita Zaitsev, Nazem Kadri, or Connor Brown dealt away, it is Marner’s RFA brethren Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson who will carry more value on the trade market. Just like their UFA counterparts in Toronto, Dubas and company cannot re-sign Kapanen and Johnsson – who are due substantial raises of their own – without first knowing the details on Marner. The team would also be taking a major risk by trading either one in hopes of creating the space needed for Marner, as failure to get the star forward signed regardless would leave them down two young scoring assets.
Johnston writes that offer sheets – often an over-hyped false reality anyway – are the least of the Leafs’ worries. Not only would the team have the right to match any offer made to Marner, but a deal large enough to lure him away from his hometown team would likely net Toronto four first-round picks. That price could be worth giving Marner up, if any team actually had the audacity to make such a move.
There seems to be mutual benefit between Marner and the Maple Leafs in getting a new deal done. However, only Toronto has a time crunch to manage, while Marner can hold out for his best possible deal, as he has every right to do. It seems like the Leafs won’t possibly be able to sign Marner without first moving out some salary, so if any move can occur before a Marner extension, expect it to be a cap dump by Dubas. Otherwise, prepare for a quiet couple of months in Toronto until this situation can be resolved.
deal him for a good goalie and your set for cup titles the next half decade
Have to do away with Zaitsev , and his contract to secure some of young guns, Marner, Johnsson, Kapanen, along with main core , Marner shined this year for me, then get a Right Defensman for 2nd Defensive tandem, with Muzzin, still have to hang on to Kadri.
Gerald what exactly do you think the cap is next year? can’t keep the three young guys and kadri and marner
darkside..,id love to know what your smoking guys like Mitch rarely come along in a lifetime the way he sees the ice makes players around him better let alone the passes not to many people I’ve seen in my lifetime make let alone be able to try ! Leafs won’t win a title till they get rid of players with no heart like Nylander and Zaitsev.
Gerald , you know what your talking about !
Price is right you Carey lover. Sure they can if they make the right moves.
actually am a leaf fan myself but unlike some, can still see reality.
I’d really be interested since you seem to know of have an opinion on everything how they keep tavares, marner, Matthews, kapanen, Johnson, kadri, etc. oh AND add a right shot d by getting rid of only zaitsev?
Really, with a handle like that I’m shocked.
They locked up Tavares so clearly they can’t move him. Unless you let someone else sign Marner then you’d get 4 1st round picks I highly doubt any team would do that even as talented as Mitch is. Matthews clearly isn’t is going anywhere.
Kadri had an off year his trade value is low due to that and the two suspensions in the playoffs which is the difference in the leafs losing the past two playoffs . I love his tenacity but he goes over the line and it’s cost us now two years in a row . If he was not suspended we win ! One of either Kapenen and Johnsson likely will need to be moved. It would be nice to keep both. Letting Gardiner walk would save ya the money to keep either even though both have had concussion issues this season.Like I’ve said numerous times there are many right handed cheaper options on the Marlies. Hyman cap hit will be off the books for a bit due to injury. I think you let the young guys play and see what you have then you go from there. Clearly if you can package Nylander and or Sparks for something that’s the starting point!
Honestly am a Black Hawk but I basically follow the whole league, behind my Hawks , they had their days in the sun, with 3 cups in 8 years, contracts and aging veterans but still , have Kane, Maybe get a Right Defenseman , play on combo 3rd pairing with Dermott or Holl, still like Kadri…… we can move some players ,thepricewasright Sparks and Nylander gonna figure out what do with Marleau, Ennis so hopefully Leafs get a look at Bracco , am aware of contracts for the big boys,
Unless you think you can land Vasilevsky from TB, there aren’t any “good goalies” outside of Andersen!
And on what planet, smoking what crap do you deal Mitch Marner when he’s been the catalyst of this team for 2+ seasons since he arrived? You clearly don’t realize Leafs need defense defense defense!
We need to see what’s going to happen to Hainsey, I see they have to move a forward as you said Johnsson or Kapanen, maybe move one of them with Sparks, not enough see on Nylander , slow start with the holdout, seemed couldn’t do what he might be capable of don’t know much on him, yes the Defense is a must binarydaddy, I mentioned it earlier have to move something, question is what is available with reasonable contract with a few games of experience to be a core defenseman.
Gerald , good job I also enjoy the Blackhawks however this year was a painful one to watch. I cheered for then since I saw Toews on the world jr stage . I follow a lot of former Knights players like Kane, Marner etc. A right handed shot would be huge. Obviously we all know once Marner gets inked all the other moves will happen .
binarydaddy, clearly you need your head and eyes checked how many cups has each won let alone playoff series. We all know those aren’t the top two in the league maybe reg season wise the last few years but no way playoff wise. Agreed on the Marner comment. We sure do. Also need to learn multiple breakout options besides just the stretch pass.
Gerald,
Slow start how at that age do you come in that out of shape having only skated maybe a few times. I get the timeing of a player is off he plays with no heart and is afraid to go in the corner/ be hit, he’s gutless! Capable of what he’s done absolute jack squat in the playoffs he plays like he’s out for a public skate. Lack of heart/effort no way you win with chumps like that. It’s no wonder Babcock doesn’t play him much.
Leafs apparently had deals with Carolina and Minnesota on the table for Pesce and Dumba wether or no this is true only those teams know.
I like how with a team of superstars you can say a 3rd liner cost them two playoff series on his own.
JKLive,
He totally did. If he wasn’t suspended I guarantee you Toronto wins both of those series. It forced guys up the depth chart and woulda kept nylander on the 4th line or maybe the press box for Dubas had any balls!!