For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter Players wanting to stay with winning teams or those on the brink of breaking through is not a new thing and it can make them willing to take less than top dollar to stay where they. Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello was successful in getting GTA products Connor Brown and Zach Hyman, along with defenseman Nikita Zaitsev signed to multiyear contracts for team-friendly cap hits, which gives Toronto more flexibility to lock up young core players William Nylander, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner in the next 18 months. It was expected over the summer that the Leafs would move James van Riemsdyk to bolster their blueline, but the winger was not moved because Toronto could not get a return of their liking. Entering the final year of his deal, it is possible that the Leafs will hold onto van Reimsdyk through the season and let him explore free agency next July or trade him before the deadline, but the big winger remaining in Toronto is a possibility according to TSN and The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun.
It is not an impossible that the Leafs explore this option, since it leaves open the possibility of trading the veteran winger down the line if their cap situation gets crowded, but the organization’s strength and depth is on the wing and the opportunity to replace van Riemsdyk with a less expensive option such as Kasperi Kapanen or Carl Grundstrom would free up cap space. ******* The Leafs look to move to 4-0 against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday. The Devils are unbeaten and possess a group of young, speedy forwards headed by surprising rookie Jesper Bratt and 2017 top pick Nico Hischier. Bratt leads New Jersey with five points (three goals, two assists), while Hischier registered his first NHL point in a victory over Buffalo on Monday. Andreas Borgman and Calle Rosen will play on Wednesday, as Connor Carrick skated with the still unsigned Roman Polak at Wednesday’s morning skate. Dominic Moore will play in place of Eric Fehr on the fourth line with Matt Martin and Connor Brown. Frederik Andersen will make his fourth straight start for the Leafs, and Corey Schnieder will be between the pipes for the Devils. *******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.*******