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The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to end their three-game losing skid as they take on the Winnipeg Jets at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday. The Leafs lost 4-3 in the first game of a three-game series on Tuesday, mostly because of a stellar 36-save performance by Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
Toronto hopes to take advantage of the Jets defense, who will insert big rookie defenseman Logan Stanley for the injured Nathan Beaulieu.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated that the only lineup change will be Kenny Agostino taking the spot of Travis Boyd on the fourth line. Agostino had seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in eight games for the AHL Toronto Marlies before being assigned to the taxi squad late last month.
Winger Zach Hyman had another excellent game in the loss, scoring his eighth goal of the season and playing over 23 minutes at even strength, short-handed, on the power play, on the third line with Ilya Mikheyev and Pierre Engvall and being spotted on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
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Questions have begun to percolate about how the Leafs will afford to re-sign the versatile 28-year-old Toronto native with their current salary situation and the cap likely not going up for the next few years.
Based on Hyman’s value and energy at both ends of the ice, his ability to provide secondary offense whether he plays in the top six or a lower role, and his place as a core member of the club, it is likely that he will be able to attract offers in free agency greater that $4 million per season and perhaps even more on a long-term deal.
It has been clear that Hyman would prefer to remain a Leaf and Kyle Dubas undoubtedly recognizes his importance to the club, so it likely means that the Leafs GM will have to clear space to make room for Hyman’s new contract.
The move that would make the most sense would be trading Alex Kerfoot, who has two more years left at a $3.5 million cap hit. The 28-year-old would be easy to move with centers always needed and Toronto might be amenable if they believe that Pierre Engvall can handle a permanent shift up the middle.
The question whether the Leafs will wait until after the season or make their move before the April 12th deadline. Clearing Kerfoot’s salary would give Dubas the maneuvering room to add the top-six forward that Toronto has been long rumored to be pursuing.
Nashville’s Mikael Granlund and Anaheim’s Rickard Rakell have popped up as potential targets, but an interesting possibility might be veteran forward Eric Staal.
The former Hurricanes team captain had four quality seasons in Minnesota before being traded to Buffalo for Marcus Johansson last September. There were rumors from the outset that Staal was upset about being moved by the Wild. The 36-year-old has not played well for the Sabres (3 goals, 6 assists in 24 games) and has not scored a goal in his last 15, but there might be something still left in the tank.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated on Thursday that Toronto having interest in Staal is plausible and makes sense, since Toronto is looking for a fit on the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander. Staal can play both center and left wing, the cost to acquire him would be relatively low and he is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
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Here we go.
— Norman James (@IamNormanJames) March 7, 2021
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