The Maple Leafs begin a two-game road swing west of the Mississippi with a contest against the Arizona Coyotes at the Gila River(formerly the Jobbing.com) Arena in Glendale, AZ on Tuesday.
The Coyotes (4-6-1) return home after going 1-3-0 on a four game Eastern road trip and face a Toronto club that appears to have righted the ship with three straight victories over Buffalo, Columbus and Chicago last week.
After practicing in Scottsdale on Monday, the Leafs will not hold a morning skate on game day, which will prevent any preliminary indication for potential lineup changes. It is expected that Leafs coach Randy Carlyle will opt for the same lineup played against the Hawks on Saturday with the exception of goalie Jonathan Bernier, who has sparkling career numbers vs. Arizona(3-0-0, 1.15 GAA, .967 save %).
Mike Smith, who was in goal for three straight losses to Tampa Bay, Florida and Carolina last week, is expected to be between the pipes for Arizona. The former Canadian Olympian leads the league in losses(6) and goals allowed(30) in 8 games, 2-6-0, which is surprising for a team previously known for it’s defensive abilities under coach Dave Tippett.
Carlyle indicates that he is satisfied with the club’s play over the last week, but that they must maintain the increased effort at both ends of the ice to enjoy continued success.
“We have to continue to show growth in our willingness to keep it simple.… Carlyle said. (We have to) outwork opponents, play to a skating style of hockey. We’ve improved in that area but it’s only a small capsule of what’s required when you play an 82 game schedule.…
The change of line combinations appears to be having a positive effect on the Leafs, as the combination of James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and David Clarkson have contributed offensively and struggling center Nazem Kadri has started scoring playing with Phil Kessel and veteran Daniel Winnik.
The future of the 24-year-old former top pick continues to be subject of much speculation, as he is in the last year of a two-year, $5.8 Million bridge deal and will likely be looking for big money as a restricted free agent next summer. The Leafs also have to re-sign goalie Jonathan Bernier, who is making the same amount as Kadri and is underpriced for a presumptive starting goalie.
The decision facing Team President Brendan Shanahan and GM Dave Nonis is whether the smallish Kadri will be worth more than $5 Million per season on a long term deal where his game is currently at. In his third full NHL season, the London, ON native continues to struggle with inconsistency, defensive zone play and faceoffs and has difficulty when being matched up against bigger, more complete opposing centers.
Those flaws are at the heart of why Kadri’s name is constantly floated in trade rumors, such as the prospective deal for Carolina center Eric Staal, but may not be open to the Leafs if his value is lowered by subpar play this season.
The Leafs appear to be believers in Bernier’s ability to be a top-flight NHL goaltender and the 26-year-old Laval, QC native will be looking for $5 Million or more next July as well. The league’s salary cap is expected to increase in 2015, but likely not to the extent that the Leafs will be able to pay both Kadri and Bernier what they are looking for and have the room to re-sign other RFA and UFA’s.
This dilemma could result in Toronto looking to shed a high-salaried players with term remaining like Joffrey Lupul or Jake Gardiner, or to have the luxury of paying James Reimer $2.3 Million to back up Bernier. It is very possible that this cap concern will not be resolved until the offseason, but it could be the impetus for a multiplayer deal before the trade deadline if Toronto finds a willing partner.
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Former Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle may have one more crack at the NHL before retirement. The 36-year-old Czech has been invited to practice with the defensively depleted New York Rangers, who are without veterans Dan Boyle(hand) and John Moore(suspension) and lost blueliners Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Klein to injury over the weekend.
Kaberle was given a non-roster tryout by the New Jersey Devils in September and was released just prior to the season. After being dealt in February 2011, Kaberle has four goals and 39 assists in 106 games with three NHL clubs.
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