Be sure to like HockeyBuzz on facebook! For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter With the announcement of an extension to the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and NHL Players Association on Monday, certain aspects that have been subject of speculation became a reality, and that reality will be a difficult one for the Toronto Maple Leafs and GM Kyle Dubas. Dubas locked up his core group of John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander for multiple years, but at an annual cost of $40.489 Million (more than one-half of the $81.5 Million salary cap). The Leafs were relying on the cap going up to keep a strong supporting cast, so with the cap staying flat the next two seasons and no remedy such as a compliance buyout or salary exemption as part of the new CBA, the club will not have many options to retain or add players in the near future. One potential option could be to acquire players currently on long-term injured reserve to give Toronto more maneuvering room on the cap. Dubas and capologist/Asst. GM Brandon Pridham did this all last season with the salaries of injured wingers Nathan Horton and David Clarkson on LTIR, but both contracts expire at the end of this season. The Leafs could choose to do that difficult dance again next season by acquiring a player such as Marian Gaborik from Ottawa (who has one more year at $4.875 Million) or newly inducted Hall-of-Famer Marian Hossa (under contract for 2020-21 at $5.275 Million).
#LeafsForever Tuesday Trivia:
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 7, 2020
Fill in the blanks and name the missing Maple Leafs leaders for assists in a single season â¤µï¸ pic.twitter.com/VGKf43suHX
Latest @OffThePostRadio with @AnthonyMingioni, @MikeInBuffalo, & @sportsology.
— 🎙🏒Off The Post Radio 🥅 🚨 (@OffThePostRadio) July 4, 2020
Our July 4th Weekend show discusses the NHL Draft Lottery Deadline, Toronto & Edmonton S Hub Cities, great news on #Flyers Oskar Lindblom, & Russ’ latest Food Oddities.
🎧 https://t.co/pDDw4r7gq1