Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Auston Powers Toronto

May 1, 2016, 8:50 PM ET [20 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The news is out. The Toronto Maple Leafs *worked hard* and *won* the number one overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.

The Leafs tanked til they couldn't tank anymore, finished 30th overall and *somehow won* the right to select big American center Auston Matthews first overall.

Matthews will have the weight of 8 million Torontonians on his shoulder on a daily basis. That's the blessing and the curse of being the #1 pivot in the *center of the hockey universe *.

The eventual arrival of Matthews will close the door to Leafs management's pursuit of the biggest, most expensive UFA center.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will no longer require the services of super center Steven Stamkos.

The pending unrestriced free agent and Toronto native became expendable to the Maple Leafs when they won the NHL draft lottery on Saturday night.

That's the way that I see it. I'm certain that Brendan Shanahan, Lou Lamoriello, Mark Hunter, Kyle Dubas and the Toronto front office view the Stamkos matter the same way.

There is no logical reason for the Leafs to invest multiple millions of dollars of annual salary cap space to fortify a position where the Leafs are now stacked.

The GTA is a huge place, however, it isn't big enough for Matthews and Stamkos to coexist in on the same NHL roster.

Matthews is now the center of attention in Toronto.



Had the Leafs finished second, third or fourth in the lottery, they would have needed to pursue the sniping Stamkos. The presumed selection of Auston Matthews with the first overall pick in the NHL draft now ends all Stamkos' speculation. Assuming the Leafs keep hold of their first overall gift amd not trade it to Arizona, I see them selecting Auston Matthews first overall on the draft stage in Buffalo on June 24. Selecting Matthews first overall will create a massive log jam of centers that Mike Babcock will have to manage.

Auston Matthews
William Nylander
Nazem Kadri
Tyler Bozak
Brooks Laich


Matthews will be the number one center and he will be in the opening night lineup for the Leafs next October. He will play early and often in all facets of the game.
William Nylander, 20, had himself an exceptional rookie season in the NHL and will center Torono's second line. Nylander adds skill and value to the Toronto lineup. He is going into year two of his entry level contract.

Nazem Kadri, 25, has carved out a niche for himself in his time in Toronto. Kadri hasn't done his best work there yet he will now have to center the third line. Two weeks ago, Kadri signed a six year, $27 million contract extension ($4.5M AAV). He will become UFA in 2022.

Tyler Bozak, 30, is a useful player and still ahs two years remaining on his contract at $4.2M AAV.

Brooks Laich, 32, has one year remaining at a $4.5 million.

Lou Lamoriello will no have to trade one of Bozak or Laich to relive some of the salary cap pressure caused by have five centers. The Leafs already have $63.3 million in salary cap space committed to 19 players for the 2016-17 season. Lamoriello has decisions to make on pending UFA forwards Michael Grabner, PA Parentau and Brad Boyes. On the restricted free agent side of the ledger, the Leafs will have to make decisions on whether they will qualify D Martin Marincin and Frank Corrado, as well as forwards Peter Holland and Sam Carrick.

Pre-Matthews, there was all sorts of hope and optimism for a Steven Stamkos triumphant return to play for his hometown team.

Post-Matthews, Stamkos is a luxury that the Leafs no longer need.

Stamkos won't come cheaply. The team that signes him will have to make it a jumbo-sized contract north of $9 million AAV per season. I don't see Stamkos signing a long term contract in the $68-$70 million range to play left wing. Which ever team he signs with will have to make him a deal that he will play both center and wing. I personally think that Stamkos will be fine with a center-wing hybrid scenario as long as the team is a legit Stanley Cup contender.

There are only a handful of team who can enter the Stamkos sweepstakes now that Toronto is seemingly out of it.

The Buffalo Sabres will be right there at the front of the line when the Stammer Sweeps open on July 1.

Sabres GM Tim Murray has the pre-requisite available salary cap space right now and the hybrid job description for Stamkos to sign in Buffalo.

The Sabres will have to extend several young stars in the next couple of years including 2016 RFA Rasmus Ristolainen, Zemhus Girgensons, Marcus Foligno, Nic Deslauriers. Jake McCabe and Casey Nelson.

In 2017, Mark Pysyk, Robin Lehner, Linus Ullmark, Evan Rodrigues, and Johan Larsson will become RFA. In 2018, Jack Eichel and Samson Reinhart will be RFA.






***
Join the Discussion: » 20 Comments » Post New Comment
More from GARTH'S CORNER
» Hailing Taxis
» He With The Gold Makes The Rules
» Sedentary Seven
» The Sedentary Seven
» GadZuccs