For the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter
A sign that the Toronto Maple Leafs rebuild may be over was provided on Sunday, as the club revealed their protection list for the upcoming Expansion Draft.
The Leafs protected seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender and chose a more veteran group than many had predicted.
There was little debate on forwards Nazem Kadri, James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Connor Brown, defensemen Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner and Connor Carrick and goaltender Frederik Andersen, but GM Lou Lamoriello for the final three forward spots opted to shield Leo Komarov, Matt Martin and Josh Leivo over the Toronto Marlies top two scorers, Kerby Rychel and Brendan Leipsic.
Komarov was given a spot because of his experience, versatility and value to head coach Mike Babcock on the Leafs checking line.
Martin may have been passed over by Vegas GM George McPhee with three years remaining at $2.5 Million and his five goals would be easy to replace, but the big winger’s toughness on the ice and leadership off of it was integral to the young Toronto squad last season and will be so going forward.
Leivo is the most proven at the NHL level with two brief successful stints over the last two seasons. If the Leafs follow through on trading van Riemsdyk for defensive help this summer, the 24-year-old Innisfil, ON native possesses the best combination of size, skill and speed of the three young left-wingers, which makes him the most capable of adequately filling a top-six role.
There continues to be speculation that Lamoriello is looking to make significant additions over the next two seasons to take advantage of Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner being on their entry-level deals and that would appear to fit with the Leafs protecting valuable role players who will make them better during that window than younger prospects.
Rychel and Leipsic may both have what it takes to make the NHL in the long run, but there are enough question marks in the short term that a spot on the Leafs is not guaranteed and both would have to clear waivers to return to the Marlies after training camp if they fail to crack the 23-man roster.
Toronto may not be anxious to lose talent like Leipsic and Rychel, but can withstand it with young forwards Kasperi Kapanen and Nikita Soshnikov fighting for more ice time and Memorial Cup/World Junior winner Jeremy Bracco embarking on his pro career.
What may be in the works prior to the Expansion Draft on Wednesday is a trade that gives the Golden Knights a young player in exchange for them selecting a player that Toronto would prefer losing, such as veteran forward Eric Fehr.
There has been speculation that the Leafs would like to rid themselves of the final year of Joffrey Lupul’s contract for the purposes of managing the salary cap and take on the performance bonuses of Matthews and others instead of pushing them off until next season.
A trade of that sort would likely cost Toronto a high draft pick or good prospect.
*******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.*******
KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz, which includes a free-of-charge 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month afterwards. For more information
click here.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»