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The Toronto Maple Leafs hierarchy has likely started to devise a two-pronged strategy of how to approach the March 2nd NHL Trade Deadline, based on whether they are within range of an Eastern Conference wild card spot or if they have fallen out of the playoff race in the next six weeks.
The Maple Leafs currently trail the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins by five points and have the Florida Panthers ahead of them in the pursuit for one of the last two post-season berths.
In spite of a 3-0 loss to the Islanders at MSG on Tuesday, the Rangers have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL after surviving early season injuries to key players Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh and Dan Boyle. The Bruins are rejuvenated with the return of David Krejci and Zdeno Chara, as well as addition of rookie David Pastrnak from the World Junior Championships and are 4-0-2 since losing to Toronto on New Year’s Eve.
The upstart Panthers have trouble scoring, but have an improved defense, solid goaltending with Roberto Luongo and have significant space under the salary cap to add players prior to the deadline if they are within range of a playoff spot.
Toronto faces a daunting schedule in January and early February, with eight of the next 10 games on the road. Once completed, the Leafs will have a balanced breakdown of games home and away for the remainder of the season, but may be out of range of the last playoff spot based on their current struggles.
If the Leafs remain within striking distance as March approaches, it is probable that management will maintain a status quo with the current roster and that any additions to the roster will be minor, as the club does not have the cap space to make significant upgrades unless they move a player like Joffrey Lupul or Dion Phaneuf with a sizeable cap hit.
If Toronto’s current struggles continue and the gap between the last playoff spot reaches double digits, it is probable that they will actively shop unrestricted free agents Cody Franson(who they have not started contract negotiations with), Mike Santorelli and Daniel Winnik in exchange for draft picks and/or prospects.
The Leafs are without their 2015 second round pick as it was included in the trade for Jonathan Bernier. A second rounder is likely the price that Nonis can extract for an effective role player like Santorelli, who has 25 points and has an economical $1.5 Million cap hit or as part of a larger return for the right-hand shooting Franson, who is on a pace to exceed 50 points for the first time in his NHL career.
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The Maple Leafs have lost another player to a violation of Performance Enhancing Substance rules, as Marlies winger Brad Ross has been suspended for 20 games on Wednesday.
“Our organization is diligent in its work to only provide our athletes supplements approved by the Banned Substance Control Group, and we’ve stressed the importance of staying within these parameters to maintain the integrity of what goes into their bodies. We are disappointed with Brad and fully support today’s suspension.… Leafs GM Dave Nonis said in a press release following the announcement of the suspension.
“I truly want to apologize to the entire Toronto Maple Leafs organization, my teammates, friends, family, and fans for violating the terms of the AHL/PHPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program." Ross said in a statement released on PHPA website. "I should have been fully mindful of anything entering my body, and I understand the consequences for what has occurred. However, I did not, at any time, intentionally attempt to enhance my performance.…
This is the second performance enhancing substance infraction for Toronto this season, as winger Carter Ashton received a 20-game suspension in early November.
The 22-year-old Ross(selected 43rd overall in the 2010 NHL Draft) has four goals and three assists in 21 games with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL and three goals and three assists in seven games with the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears.
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Toronto plays the second game of their four-game road trip at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday. The Leafs 6-2 win over the Pacific Division leading Ducks on December 16 was the beginning of the end for former Toronto and Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle, as the club has gone 3-9-0 since that victory.
Winger Leo Komarov did not participate in the morning skate in Anaheim after leaving Monday's 2-0 loss to Los Angeles early on Monday. Komarov collided with two Kings players and slammed into the boards in the second period and appeared be in pain going to the Toronto locker room. The feisty winger did not return in the third period and worked off the ice with teammates on Tuesday, but not skating on Wednesday indicates that Komarov will sit in favor of forward Sam Carrick.
Jonathan Bernier is expected to get the start in Anaheim, with James Reimer going on Thursday against the Sharks in San Jose.
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