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Whether by design or because of the limitations of the flat salary cap, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have a much different look entering the 2021-22 season, with youngsters Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren getting a legitimate shot at regular playing time, and free agent newcomers Ondrej Kase, Michael Bunting, Nick Ritchie, and David Kampf all in their mid-20’s.
The exodus from the Leafs roster last season other than Zach Hyman have been players on the wrong side of 30. Frederik Andersen signed a two-year deal with Carolina, and Toronto’s divisional rivals Boston and Tampa Bay added Nick Foligno and Zach Bogosian. On Friday. another Atlantic competitor added an ex-Leaf to the fold, as 42-year-old Joe Thornton signed a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers.
Thornton scored 20 points (5 goals, 15 assists) in 44 games for the Leafs last season, but was injured on two occasions and saw his ice time and spot in the lineup decrease as the season progressed. “Jumbo Joe… played mostly fourth line duty for Toronto in the playoffs, where he scored one goal in seven games.
The Leafs were also interested in bringing back Foligno, who they gave up a first round pick to acquire at the deadline, but the Bruins had more money to offer with cap space opened up by the retirement of David Krejci and free agency of Tuukka Rask.
Thornton’s name was conspicuously not mentioned in any of the off-season media availabilities, which would indicate that the Leafs were not interested in bringing the former top overall pick back for another season.
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— Norman James (@IamNormanJames) April 26, 2021
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