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With the opening of training camp this week, Toronto Maple Leafs players and alumni headed to the event that signifies the end of the off-season, the Leafs & Legends Charity Golf Classic RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, ON.
Late last week, forward William Nylander indicated that his representatives and the Leafs have started preliminary contract talks, but the club at this point is not being as proactive with veteran forwards with expiring contracts.
Tyler Bozak had a career-high 55 points last season and is entering the final year of a five-year, $21 Million contract, but the 31-year-old and Toronto have not had any discussions on a new deal.
“No I haven’t been talking about any of that. That’s a long ways away" Bozak said on Monday.
Darcy Tucker gets the day underway with the ceremonial start. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/P8Q6koQ7c6
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 11, 2017
James van Riemsdyk scored 29 goals and was rumored to be part of the Leafs offer made to the Islanders for defenseman Travis Hamonic and with the signing of Patrick Marleau, it is unlikely that Toronto will have the cap space to re-sign the pending free agent and extend Nylander, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner over the next two summers.
GM Lou Lamoriello says that the lines of communication between Toronto and the pending free agent are open.
“Communication is the most important thing with your players and honesty is the most important thing likewise.… Lamoriello said to to TSN’s Bob McKenzie. “The media is going to make out anything and everything they feel, and they should. But the most important thing is the player knowing and the team knowing exactly what the thought process is.…
.@Bozie42 takes his turn with the preseason press. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/476NCs2bSB
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 11, 2017
The other veteran that will be unrestricted next July will be Leo Komarov. The feisty and versatile veteran turns 31 and is an integral part of the Leafs checking line with Nazem Kadri, but will likely be looking for a pay increase from the four-year contract averaging $2.95 Million per season.
There have been no indications if the Leafs and Komarov have discussed a new deal, but with young forwards Kasperi Kapanen and Carl Grundstrom playing a gritty game similar to Komarov on their entry-level deals, “Uncle Leo… could be a victim of the numbers game with Lamoriello needing to allocate cap dollars to the club’s young core.
With the expectation that Toronto will be in competition for a playoff spot with the additions of Patrick Marleau, Dominic Moore and Ron Hainsey, it is possible that Bozak, van Riemsdyk and Komarov will play out the year with the Leafs and worry about their contracts after the season.
If Toronto are outside the playoff race come the February 26th deadline or Lamoriello is offered a top four defenseman in a trade offer, any of the veteran trio could be moved.
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