Be sure to like HockeyBuzz on facebook! For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter *******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.*******
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas has to be pondering and investigating what avenues he will pursue this summer in a number of different areas to find a pathway to improving his club’s chances of playoff success. In spite of a record-breaking regular season, the Leafs had another early postseason exit. Toronto will likely explore the trade market and/or free agency to find upgrades, but that will depend on what they do with the players currently on their roster.
We look today at what moves the Leafs may make with their blueline.
A) Trading Justin Holl
Likelihood – High
The Leafs now have three defensive free agents and two of the right-handed variety in Ilya Lyubushkin (UFA) and Timothy Liljegren (RFA). Lyubushkin played well (and with the physicality that Toronto is in short supply of) although higher in the lineup than anyone expected, which could draw some interest from clubs looking for a righty. Liljegren is coming off his entry-level contract and is not eligible for arbitration, but with the Leafs limited cap space, it is likely that they will opt to get him and lefty Rasmus Sandin signed to two-year bridge deals, which would coincide with the expiration of Jake Muzzin and TJ Brodie’s deals.
If GM Kyle Dubas does re-sign Lyubushkin and Liljegren, it will probably be for an amount in the neighborhood of Holl’s $2 million cap hit, which would probably mean that Holl would have to be cleared out to make room. Big right-handed blueliners are a rare commodity, so trading Holl could result in a return of as much as a second-round pick (they got a third for Travis Dermott), which would be welcomed since Toronto only has three 2022 draft choices.
B) Clearing a log jam on the left side
Likelihood - Mixed
With the signing of Mark Giordano, the Leafs have four defensemen on the left side in Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin, Giordano and Sandin (RFA). Muzzin missed nearly half of last season with concussion issues but played well in the playoffs, but with significant injuries the last three seasons, speculation has increased that moving out the 33-year-old to clear his salary is a possibility.
Sandin has also has had durability issues, with two stints on IR with knee injuries, but the concern is whether the 22-year-old has an opportunity to grow with three vets on the left side. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman this situation bears watching. Trading Muzzin does not seem likely, and the possibility of Sandin being dealt is there, even though Toronto management really likes him.
The Leafs experimented with Sandin playing his off side briefly last season, but it is unclear whether the organization believes he can do that on a permanent basis. If they do, then the club could opt to sign Sandin to a bridge deal and either move out Holl or not re-sign Lyubushkin.
C) Free agency
Likelihood – Slim
Dubas will be looking for bargains depending on how the other situations break. Free agents may only be willing to sign with Toronto if they a) are looking for a second chance and visibility to restart their career, and b) they mimic GTA natives Giordano and Jason Spezza and are willing to take a short-term minimum contract. The name most often mentioned is former Norris Trophy winner PK Subban, but that scenario only plays out if he sees a defined role with regular playing time and if he has little or no interest elsewhere.
*******