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 Brad Treliving is looking not only to get Auston Matthews locked up on a long-term extension prior to July 1, but also to work on some of the 10 unrestricted free agents that will hit the open market the weekend after the NHL Draft in Nashville.
There are some indications that players that may have been no-brainers to get re-signed under the administration of GM Kyle Dubas are now up in the air. David Alter of The Hockey News reported on Saturday that winger Michael Bunting’s representatives have not heard from the Leafs since the management changeover.
The Scarborough native who scored 23 goals for the second straight season is expected to be in line for a significant raise from the $950,000 salary the last two seasons, but that could be the issue with Toronto looking to re-sign two of the core four forwards in Matthews and William Nylander this summer.
The Leafs would be stupid to let Bunting walk since he has displayed the ability to complement Matthews and either Nylander or Mitch Marner quite well, as well as being an effective irritant. The abrasive winger fell out of favor with the fan base after getting suspended for three games for an illegal hit on Erik Cernak, but the loss of Cernak was one of the reasons that Toronto was able to wear down the Tampa defense.
Where some progress may be made between Toronto and defenseman Luke Schenn. The 33-year-old blueliner was acquired just before the trade deadline for a 2023 third-round pick and played remarkably well paired with Morgan Rielly in the playoffs.
Is Luke Schenn staying with #LeafsForever?
— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) June 8, 2023
Catch @DhaliwalSports with an update on the defenseman earlier today.https://t.co/h4e2SKM7eJ pic.twitter.com/iVJdmD9Iw9
According to Vancouver reporter Rick Dhaliwal, Schenn is looking to get a multi-year deal and a raise from the $850,000 he made the last two years from the Canucks, as well as some no-trade protection after bouncing around between Tampa Bay and Vancouver the last few seasons.
Treliving in his introductory press conference had favorable things to say about Schenn and it is clear from the integral role that he played in the first-round victory over Tampa Bay that his presence is quite valuable, especially for a Leafs club light on physicality.
The Amazing Adventures of Luke Schenn vs. the Lightning (hot mic)
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 23, 2023
Jeannot - Hey Schenner, we're going again!
Maroon - ...we're gonna f--king kill you!
Hagel - He's irrelevant!? Holy f--k! You stink! pic.twitter.com/JDP0aIY7h9
Where the issue will be on a new deal is how long to sign a 33-year-old defenseman and for how much. A two-year term would seem to be reasonable, but if Schenn is pressing for three years, then the AAV will likely have to be in the $1.2 to $1.4 million range to make sense.
*******