The normal end-of-the-season report card clearly would not provide anything revelatory about the Toronto Maple Leafs, as most of the players would barely pass or earn failing grades for a club’s dismal performance. The year saw the Leafs go 30-44-8, finish 27th overall and dismiss General Manager Dave Nonis, head coaches Randy Carlyle and Peter Horachek, the entire coaching staff and most of the scouts.
What is to be determined in the next few months is whether those who comprise Toronto’s 2014-15 roster will survive the coming teardown and be a part of the rebuild or will be moving on to other NHL clubs. Over the next few days, we’ll take a look at the Leafs position-by-position and gauge the likelihood of each player’s future.
The Centers
Tyler Bozak – 2014-15 Stats : GP-82, G-23, A-26, PTS-49, +/- -34, PIM-44
Salary - $4.2 Million
Contract Status – Signed through 2017-18
Bozak came off a 2013-14 season in which he posted career-highs in goals(19) and assists(30) in just 58 games and somewhat justified the five-year, $21 Million contract in the summer of 2013. 2014-15 started well for the undrafted free agent, but his second half was disastrous. Although he scored a career-high 23 goals last season, the Leafs top line center managed the same amount of points(49) in a full 82-game schedule and dropped from a plus player to the second lowest plus/minus in the NHL(-34), a product of playing with Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk.
The University of Denver product has always been miscast as a first line center in Toronto; he is not that. He is a good NHL #2 center or a great # 3 center who can win faceoffs and contribute offensively on a contending team.
With Toronto entering what is expected to be a three or four year rebuild, the 29-year-old will be near the end of his prime and an unrestricted free agent Bozak about the time that the Leafs are ready to compete. His $4.2 Million salary is on par with most 2nd or 3rd line centers, which means that Toronto should be able to get a significant return for a good player.
Remains with the Leafs – 15%, Trade – 85%
Nazem Kadri – 2014-15 Stats : GP-73, G-18, A-21, PTS-39, +/- -7, PIM-28
Salary - $2.9 Million
Contract Status – Restricted free agent
More was expected from Kadri entering his third full NHL season after scoring 20 goals for the first time, but his performance on the ice, his overinflated belief in his abilities and dedication off the ice made last season a significant step back for the 2009 seventh overall pick.
Kadri was nearly a point per game player during the lockout shortened 2013 season and scored 50 points in 2013-14, but dropped to 39 points last season. Hardly on par with the performance of draft classmate and former teammate John Tavares, who was nominated for the Hart Trophy earlier this week.
The darling of analytics aficionados, the 24-year-old center again showed little when given an opportunity to center the Leafs top line, has failed to make significant strides defensively and continues to struggle in winning faceoffs.
In the last year of his two-year bridge deal, Kadri was healthy scratched following a late arrival to practice and suspended by Team President Brendan Shanahan for continuing off-the-ice issues, which undoubtedly will give the organization pause when discussing a new contract with the restricted free agent.
There is no doubt that Kadri has the talent to be consistent scorer in the NHL, but he is going to have to grow up and prove his willingness before the Leafs will give him the money he thinks he deserves. Toronto will likely choose to go to arbitration, while Kadri will want a two-year deal to take him to unrestricted free agency or a deal for five or more years.
If there are indications prior to the draft of a potential holdout, it is very possible that the Leafs will move Kadri.
Signs and remains with the Leafs – 50%, Trade – 50%
Peter Holland – 2014-15 Stats : GP-62, G-11, A-14, PTS-25, +/- 0, PIM-31
Salary - $775,000
Contract Status – Signed through 2015-16
Acquired from Anaheim in November 2013, Holland scored 11 goals and 14 assists in 62 games in his first full season with Toronto. The 24-year-old center adapted well to additional responsibilities as a penalty killer, has shown flashes of scoring ability and provides a large bodied presence up the middle, but two separate injuries had him miss a quarter of the season.
Under the age of 25 and making less than a million dollars, Holland is someone that Toronto will likely give more of an opportunity to grow as a NHL center.
Remains with the Leafs – 95% - Trade – 5%
Trevor Smith – 2014-15 Stats : GP-54, G-2, A-3, PTS-5, +/- -9, PIM-12
Salary - $550,000
Contract Status – Unrestricted free agent
Smith entered the season as the captain of the Toronto Marlies, but was recalled in early November and played too many games to be sent down without clearing waivers. An adequate depth forward at the NHL level, the 30-year-old is likely going to be a victim of the numbers game, as some of the young Marlies players get a significant chance at playing in the NHL.
Re-signs with the Leafs – 10%, Signs with other NHL team – 90%
Sam Carrick – 2014-15 Stats : GP-16, G-1, A-1, PTS-2, +/- +1, PIM-9
Salary - $660,000
Contract Status – Restricted Free Agent
Carrick got his first taste of the NHL with 16 games in 2014-15 and did not appear out of place in a fourth line center role. The 23-year-old native of Markham, ON has put together two quality seasons in the American Hockey League with the Toronto Marlies.
With a number of players expected to be heading out of town, a number of the Leafs farm hands will have an opportunity to earn a job and Carrick has the energy and feisty quality to be an NHL depth forward.
Re-signs and remains with the Leafs – 98%, Trade/Not Qualified – 2%
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Second Round Predictions
Tampa Bay vs Montreal – Tampa had an unexpectedly difficult time getting by Detroit, with Steven Stamkos struggling and Ben Bishop playing average until Game 7. Montreal won the first three games and had a tough time closing out the upstart Senators, in spite of Carey Price playing like Carey Price.
Price will have to remain superhuman for the low scoring Habs to have a chance to beat the Lightning and hope that Stamkos continues to slump, but Tampa is bigger, faster, deeper at forward and on defense.
Tampa Bay in 6
Chicago vs Minnesota – The Blackhawks got past Nashville in spite of goaltending problems, while the Wild surprised some by eliminating the Blues.
Minnesota is dramatically improved over the team that lost to Chicago in six games last season, with more depth at forward and Devan Dubnyk in goal, but the Hawks have the core that has won two Stanley Cups and continues to find ways to win. If Crawford can straighten himself out, then Chicago should make their third straight Western Conference Final, but if you see Scott Darling again, the Wild are good enough to move on.
Chicago in 7
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