Leafs Q & A – July 13th Edition (maple leafs)

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Leafs Q & A – July 13th Edition

By Mike Augello

Jul 13, 2015 • 12:05 pm

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have made the big trade of Phil Kessel to Pittsburgh, a slew of signings and smaller deals this summer, but could more changes be coming? It is time to answer some questions from an inquisitive Leafs Nation.

A: All the signings made by the Leafs this summer have been short-term deals(one or two years) and for less than $2.5 Million salary. With Joffrey Lupul, Dion Phaneuf and Tyler Bozak still on the books, it’s unlikely that Toronto wanted to add another player in their late 20’s like Frolik to a deal of five-or-more years unless it was very cap friendly. Frolik signed for $21.5 Million for five years with Calgary and the Flames could be a contender during the life of that deal, that may not be the case for the Leafs.

Santorelli is still unsigned and could be looking for a multi-year deal similar to Daniel Winnik, who got two years returning to Toronto. With the additions of Nick Spaling, PA Parenteau, Shawn Matthias, Mark Arcobello and Taylor Beck on Sunday, the Leafs look to have reached their quota of forwards and only a trade of someone like Bozak or Lupul would change that.

A: I discussed the likelihood of Phaneuf being moved prior to the season in a column earlier in the week. Cap/budgetary limitations would seem to make it a long shot and all indications point to Mike Babcock wanting to have the team captain stay in Toronto(at least in the short term). Polak is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2015-16 season and would likely get the Leafs a better return at the trade deadline, when contending teams are willing to pay through the nose for a veteran defenseman with a cap hit less than $3 Million.

A: Not necessarily. Pro contracts for players who stay in Junior(like Cody Donaghey) do not count against the 50 contract limit and neither do the deals of prospects such as William Nylander or Kasperi Kapanen if they do not play 10 NHL games. The Leafs also have the luxury of four of their six 2014 draft picks playing in the NCAA or Europe, which means they will not face a signing deadline next summer. Eight Toronto players will be unrestricted free agents at the end of next season and some of who will be moved before the trade deadline next March, which will create more room.

The Leafs will be looking for draft choices in return for rent-a-players at the deadline, but they can choose to obtain 2017 picks instead of adding to their bevy of 2016 selections. Having a slew of draft choices is never a bad thing. Columbus had six picks in the first three rounds in Sunrise and used that advantage to swap a pair of picks to Toronto to get a low first round pick.

A: Lupul has three years left at $5.25 Million per season and the Leafs may be hoping that he can stay healthy and put up good numbers which would make a deadline deal possible. It is again a scenario where Toronto may have to retain salary to make Lupul a more attractive acquisition. Every NHL team can keep a part of three players salaries every season and Toronto is already keeping $200,000 of the final year of Carl Gunnarsson’s contract and $1.2 Million of Phil Kessel’s deal for 2015-16.

Bozak is the more likely of the two to be moved prior to training camp, as he can be an effective 2nd/3rd line center, who can win faceoffs and play special teams.

A: The new regime under Brendan Shanahan is moving out the players that they don’t think can fit their skill-based blueprint. Brad Ross, Colton Orr, Frazer McLaren, Jamie Devane, Andrew MacWilliam, Eric Knodel, David Broll, Carter Ashton and Tyler Biggs are all gone, but Josh Leivo and Stuart Percy have shown the skating ability and hockey IQ that give them a chance to break through with the Leafs.

Leivo had took a step back offensively with the Marlies last season after registering 23 goals in 59 AHL games as a rookie two years ago. The 22-year-old has size and speed and will be given a shot at making the Leafs in training camp.

Percy impressed in a nine-game stint early last season, but injuries limited the 2011 first rounder to 43 games after being sent down. The young blueliner can freely move between the AHL and NHL without waiver concerns, but the Leafs say they will not yo-yo players back and forth from Ricoh Coliseum to the ACC. His opportunity may come after the trade deadline, when veterans like Polak are moved.

A: The Leafs have been careful to bring in players with work ethic and character. One prominent NHL reporter called Semin “soulless… and I do not believe that attitude is something that Brendan Shanahan and Mike Babcock want around. Glencross and Tlusty fit with teams looking to add a top-nine winger and only make sense for Toronto if the cost is right.

A: There always the chance that someone could get moved before the season, but it looks right now that they will carry seven or eight defensemen. Dion Phaneuf, Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, Stephane Robidas and Roman Polak are locks, with Matt Hunwick, Martin Marincin, TJ Brennan, Scott Harrington and Stuart Percy getting long looks during training camp for the final two-to-three spots. *******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.*******

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