Maple Leafs restricted free agent forward Peter Holland remains the club's property after clearing waivers on Saturday.
The 25-year-old scored nine goals and 18 assists in 65 games with the Leafs in the final year of a two-year, $1.55 Million contract and filed for salary arbitration earlier this month.
According to Sportsnet's
Elliotte Friedman , the two sides have submitted their offers for Monday's arbitration hearing, with Holland asking for nearly triple the amount of the $775,000 Holland made the last two seasons. Toronto countered with a slight raise of $900,000.
The Toronto native was a first round pick(15th overall) of Anaheim in 2009, acquired from the Ducks in November 2013 for defenseman Jesse Blacker and a 2014 second round pick and had 11 goals and 14 assists in 62 games in 2014-15, but did not appear to be a fit with Mike Babcock's system.
Holland had only nine goals and 18 assists in 65 games last season and the over $2 Million figure submitted in arbitration is likely a negotiating ploy by Holland's representatives to get the 25-year-old forward a one-way deal for over $1 Million.
With first overall pick Auston Matthews signed to his entry-level deal, Nazem Kadri, Tyler Bozak and veteran Brooks Laich appear to be four centers that will start the season.
James van Riemsdyk, Leo Komarov and Matt Martin will likely play on the left side and William Nylander, Milan Michalek and possibly rookie Mitch Marner on right wing, leaving Holland, Byron Froese, Joffrey Lupul, the recently signed Josh Leivo, Colin Greening, Nikita Soshnikov, Zach Hyman, newly acquired Kerby Rychel and Connor Brown for three to four vacant roster spots.
The Leafs cannot walk away from Holland's deal after the arbitrator's decision, as that is only possible with awards over
$3.9 Million, but depending on the result of the hearing or whether the two sides reach a settlement, it could result in Holland being traded.
Another effect will be a second buyout window opening up for the Leafs after the hearings for Holland, Frank Corrado and Martin Marincin, which could lead to the Leafs clearing the salary of Colin Greening or Joffrey Lupul before training camp.
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