Be sure to like HockeyBuzz on facebook! For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter The Toronto Maple Leafs could choose a number of different avenues this offseason with the clear need to shake up the group that failed to advance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Leafs GM Kyle Dubas cleared cap space in the deal that sent winger Kasperi Kapanen to Pittsburgh and acquired assets in prospect Filip Hallander and the Penguins 2020 first round pick, but the question is what will it cost Toronto to upgrade their blueline.
The Leafs have close to $8 Million in room to get a pair of restricted free agents signed and make other acquisitions. There may be more room created if Dubas is able to move out other salaries in deals and in his media availability after the Kapanen trade earlier this week, he did not rule out using the first-rounder in a deal if it brought back immediate help. “I think in the spot that we are in with our team right now, we are also open, probably, to moving (the first-rounder) if the right deal came along for someone that could help us now.… Dubas said. “We can look at the list (of free agent bluelines) right now, and there are certainly a number of players that have been very good NHL players for a long time. That is obviously a positive, but knowing what the market is going to bear out for them in terms of opportunity and contracts is really difficult right now.…
A number of potential blueline targets with term left on deals may be available before the start of next season. Edmonton could be willing to deal veterans Oscar Klefbom, Darnell Nurse or Adam Larsson with Ethan Bear needing a new contract and youngsters Evan Bouchard and Philip Broberg in the pipeline.
Toronto had interest in PK Subban when Nashville was shopping the former Norris Trophy winner at the NHL Draft in Vancouver, but the Predators would not retain any of Subban’s $9 Million salary and that led to him being traded to New Jersey. After a subpar season, the young Devils might be willing to retain salary to move the 30-year-old with two years remaining on his contract. Another possibility would involve the St. Louis Blues, who might be looking to open up room to re-sign defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. Blues GM Doug Armstrong hinted this week that he would first have to find out if he could reach “common ground… with the team captain before going to work to move other pieces to make it possible. Some speculation has hinted that blueliner Colton Parayko could be someone that Armstrong would be willing to deal.
The big righty has two years remaining at a $5.5 Million cap hit and unsubstantiated rumors have tied Parayko to Toronto, but that the cost would include winger Andreas Johnsson, defenseman Timothy Liljegren and Pittsburgh’s first-rounder.
The 27-year-old has won a Cup, would definitely fill the hole on the right side of the Leafs defense and likely slot in on the top pairing with Morgan Rielly, but the rumored cost would be quite hefty for a defenseman who scored 28 points last season. Dubas has other options that might be just as effective and cost significantly less. *******
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— Norman James (@IamNormanJames) August 26, 2020