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Earlier in the summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs were up against the wall of the NHL salary cap and the league’s 50 professional contract limit, but with two weeks remaining before the club’s youngsters assemble at Ricoh Coliseum for the annual rookie tournament, the club has found a bit of breathing room.
The decision of defenseman Alexey Marchenko to return to the KHL allowed the Leafs to waive the blueliner, terminate the final year of his contract and clear $1.45 Million off of their payroll. By using long-term injured reserve during the summer, they now have over $4 Million in available cap space.
With the signing of 2017 first round pick Timothy Liljegren, Toronto had only one space available under the 50-contract limit and that would be taken up by Connor Brown’s new deal. The departure of Marchenko gave Toronto more space and it has been confirmed that if 2016 second round pick Carl Grundstrom remains with Frolunda, that his entry-level contract will not count as well.
Correct, if he plays AHL he will count to the 50 SPC limit, if he plays SHL he will be exempt from the 50 SPC limit.
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) August 25, 2017
The 57th overall selection signed a three-year entry-level deal with Toronto in April and played six games in the Calder Cup Playoffs for the Marlies, but because Grundstrom is 19 and he has been loaned to Frolunda this season, his deal is exempt from counting as a professional contract.
That exemption would not pertain to 2017 top pick Timothy Liljegren, if he remains in North America and plays for the Marlies or Leafs.
Grundstrom was one of four Leafs prospects that did not show up for their Rookie Development Camp in July (due either to travel difficulties or scheduling conflicts) and is playing in exhibition games with Frolunda for the upcoming SHL season.
3 requirements to be exempt from 50 limit:
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) August 25, 2017
1. 18 or 19
2. Have 9 or less NHL GP
3. In Junior or loaned to European League
With Toronto at 47 contracts, they now have some flexibility to offer professional tryouts to unsigned free agents and actually sign them if they perform up to expectations. Last season, the Leafs had Brandon Prust practice with them until late November, hoping that a spot would open up.
With the departure of Marchenko, Toronto may be looking to add a right-handed defenseman as a depth option.
There have been indications that left-handed veteran Ron Hainsey will play the right side, along with Connor Carrick and Nikita Zaitsev, but if the Leafs offer a tryout or sign someone like Roman Polak, Cody Franson or Dennis Wideman, it is possible that Hainsey could move to the left side to make room. *******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.*******