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It is getting to that time of year where news and rumors regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs are coming fast and furious (and I’m not talking about Vin Diesel). Here is what is out there:
As we wait to see how/if this Flyers/Blues deal pans out, a few teams spoke with Philly about Sanheim, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. If Sanheim doesn't go to STL, I suspect those talks will pick back up (if they haven't already). Leafs also have poked on Hanifin in Calgary.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 25, 2023
A: Everything has to be filtered through the prism of new Leafs GM Brad Treliving. Does Sanheim fit the profile that Treliving likes? He’s big (6’3…, 181 lb.), he’s only 27 and plays with some physicality, but he is also signed for eight years at $6.25 million.
There is a mass exodus going on with Philadelphia under new GM Daniel Briere, and Sanheim was reportedly part of the aborted deal with St. Louis involving Kevin Hayes and Torey Krug. If the Leafs were to deal for Sanheim, the first-rounder at #28 might be the return going the other way, but Toronto’s cap situation would necessitate some salary going the other way. Perhaps the final year of Matt Murray’s deal or TJ Brodie’s $5 million cap hit??
The scary proposition is the eight-year term on the deal and the fact that the Flyers are so anxious to move it before a full no-trade clause kicks in on July 1.
** It is logical to assume that Treliving would have interest in some of the players potentially leaving Calgary, especially defenseman Noah Hanifin, but the 26-year-old blueliner reportedly wants to play in the States and with the potential of getting more for the former fifth overall pick from a US-based team that could sign him to an extension, there are roadblocks to making a deal for Hanifin.
**
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said on FAN 590 on Monday that the Leafs are trying to get some of their own pending free agents (Luke Schenn, Noel Acciari, and Ryan O’Reilly) signed before they go to market. Schenn has indicated that he wants to stay in Toronto but also wants some term and no-trade security on what could be his last contract.
After his impressive performance in the playoffs playing alongside Morgan Rielly, Friedman indicated that the 33-year-old may be getting more interest and potential offers from other clubs, and with the Leafs limited cap space, that might pose some problems. Acciari made $1.25 million on a one-year deal signed with St. Louis and after providing some energy and hitting in the postseason, it is likely the 31-year-old is looking for a bump in pay and some security in the form of a multi-year deal. O'Reilly is a situation where the Leafs may use term to spread out the AAV on a new deal, similar to what Jordan Staal did in Carolina.
Re-signing O’Reilly gives the Leafs a number of options up front, including moving a slowing John Tavares to the wing, where he could still be an impact top-six forward.
Friedman and also Frank Seravalli indicated that negotiations with William Nylander's camp are continuing and that his status in Toronto depends on whether he is willing to take a team-friendly amount on a long-term deal. That determination might take place in the next week, with the draft and free agency right around the corner.
If agent Lewis Gross is being non-committal in negotiations like he was with Treliving and a new deal with Johnny Gaudreau last summer, then Toronto cannot risk losing Nylander one year out from getting a big payday in free agency.