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The Toronto Maple Leafs faced an offseason with key players entering free agency and not a great deal of space under the salary cap to either re-sign or replace them. GM Kyle Dubas was not in a position to bid for big names on July 28, but needed to replace big contributors like Frederik Andersen and Zach Hyman.
Right wing is arguably as strong and deep than any on the Leafs roster, but that could change based on the success or failure of the free agent additions made on the left side that were detailed in Monday’s column.
If all things go as planned, Mitch Marner will remain on the top line with Auston Matthews (where he finished in the top five of NHL scoring with 67 points), William Nylander will play alongside John Tavares on the second line, and Ilya Mikheyev will fit in on the checking line with Alex Kerfoot.
With the loss of Zach Hyman, Nick Foligno, Joe Thornton and Alex Galchenyuk on the left side, if Michael Bunting, Nick Ritchie and/or Nick Robertson are not able to adequately replace them, it may necessary to shift either Kerfoot or Nylander to the port side, thus having a domino effect of shift players from other positions.
If Nylander is moved to left wing as he did at times last season, it could force Mikheyev to move up into the top six. Although appreciated and valued for his hustle and defensive abilities, Mikheyev has proven in two seasons that he does not have the finish to play higher in the lineup. ,
Free agent addition Ondrej Kase is a wild card based not on his ability, but on his health. The 25-year-old signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal after missing all but three games last season in Boston due to concussion issues. If Kase is healthy, he has the offensive skills to be a good complimentary top-six winger.
Wayne Simmonds has the ability to play both the left and right side, which could see him moving up and down the lineup in different scenarios. Jason Spezza was extremely successful playing limited minutes in a bottom six role and on the second power play and his role will likely not change.
23-year-old Joey Anderson (who Toronto acquired from New Jersey in exchange for Andreas Johnsson) could challenge for a spot after scoring seven goals in 20 games for the AHL Toronto Marlies, but with the Leafs up against the cap, it is possible that they will go most of the season not carrying more than 12 or 13 forwards. *******
Lot’s of â¤ï¸ for the 💙ðŸ¤
— Norman James (@IamNormanJames) April 26, 2021
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