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As has been made pretty clear since the Toronto Maple Leafs season ended, any changes that occur to their roster or players on expiring contracts being brought back will be contingent on the Mitch Marner situation being rectified. If the Leafs are not able to trade the All-Star winger, they will have limited options and flexibility under the salary cap.
The Leafs according to Cap Friendly have $18.5 million in available cap space, but have seven unrestricted free agents in Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, TJ Brodie, Joel Edmundson, Ilya Lyubushkin, Mark Giordano, and Ilya Samsonov, but need to find a tandem goalie or primary starter to partner with Joseph Woll, sign or acquire at least three defensemen, and one or two forwards.
According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, the Leafs have begun contract talks with Bertuzzi on a new deal. It was a tale of two seasons for the 29-year-old last year, who played 80 of 82 games (a career-high) who scored 15 of his 20 goals after the All-Star break. He was most effective on a line with Auston Matthews and Domi, which could be a sign that Toronto is laying the groundwork for a post-Marner era, but GM Brad Treliving has to be prepared for every eventuality.
It would be guesswork on my part, but factoring in his age and durability issues throughout his career, a deal in the $5.5 to 6 million range for five or six seasons is likely what the Leafs are shooting for.
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