|
How can the Leafs fit everyone on an overstocked roster? |
|
|
|
|
|
For the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter
Unless the Toronto Maple Leafs pull off a major deal before the start of the regular season, GM Lou Lamoriello will have to do some deft maneuvering to reduce the club's roster to 23 players.
With the acquisition of free agent Patrick Marleau, the Leafs have six NHL left wingers (James van Riemsdyk, Leo Komarov, Zach Hyman, Matt Martin and Josh Leivo) and seven NHL right wingers (William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Connor Brown, Kasperi Kapanen, Nikita Soshnikov, Ben Smith and Eric Fehr).
Depending on how many defensemen the Leafs carry (eight was the number they kept on the roster for most of last season), Toronto will carry 13 forwards. It is possible that they could carry as many as 14, with them keeping seven blueliners on the NHL roster and calling up Travis Dermott, Andreas Borgman, Calle Rosen or Timothy Liljegren when necessary. These youngsters can freely move up and back to the AHL because they have not played any games in the NHL and are waiver exempt.
Many decisions will depend on how players perform at training camp, but those vulnerable to being claimed off of waivers may have more chance to stick than those who are exempt.
Kapanen impressed with a pair of goals in the post-season and appears to be ready to make the Leafs this fall, but the winger (who turns 21 on Sunday) and Soshnikov (24 in October) can still be sent to the Toronto Marlies without being claimed.
That fact may make it an uphill climb for either to crack the opening night lineup.
Veterans Smith and Fehr are not exempt, but there will not likely be any hesitation to place them on waivers and send them down to the AHL.
Both are not likely to be claimed and sending down Smith would subtract his entire $650,000 one-way salary off the cap. Fehr has a $2 Million salary for next season and if he is demoted, Toronto would save nearly half ($950,000) by burying him in the minors.
Leivo was kept up with the Leafs all of last season and protected during the expansion draft, which is an indicator that the 24-year-old has some value and would likely be claimed if Toronto tried to send him down.
The area that has a log jam is the left side. If Lamoriello does not make a trade involving the expiring contract of van Riemsdyk, it is likely that he will remain with linemates Tyler Bozak and Marner. Marleau may step in on the wing with Auston Matthews and Nylander, while Komarov would continue on the checking line with Nazem Kadri and Brown.
That leaves Hyman and Martin (both favorites of Babcock) battling for the fourth line LW spot. If Kapanen or Soshnikov make the roster, either Hyman and Martin would have to sit out every night, and that is not likely to be the case with both making more than $2 Million per season.
If the Leafs send both Kapanen and Soshnikov down, the most likely scenario is for the right-handed Hyman moving to the right side and playing with Martin and Dominic Moore on the fourth line.
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»