While bolstering the blueline, finding a backup for Jonathan Bernier and continuing to search for help at center are at the top of the Maple Leafs summer shopping list, adding bottom six forwards who can contribute offense and play special teams roles will be an imperative for GM Dave Nonis this off-season.
Forwards Nikolai Kulemin and Mason Raymond are likely not returning as the Leafs may not be willing to match offers they receive as unrestricted free agents throughout the league, center Dave Bolland’s status is uncertain due to a reported $5 Million salary demand and health concerns over his injured ankle and Jay McClement struggled as a defensive specialist in his second year with the club.
It appears that part of the organization’s plan is to promote from within, as current Marlies Jerry D’Amigo, Peter Holland, Sam Carrick, Josh Leivo and Carter Ashton will all get long looks at training camp next September, but Toronto will also need to mix in some experience and sandpaper to make their bottom six truly effective.
Troy Bodie unexpectedly provided energy, size and speed as a depth forward and should not be difficult to re-sign, but the return of fan favorite Leo Komarov may cost the Leafs more than they are willing to spend.
The 27-year-old Komarov terminated his contract with KHL’s Moscow Dynamo two weeks ago and indicated during the recent IIHF World Championships in Belarus that he intends to return to the NHL next season.
According to Michael Traikos of the National Post , agent Mark Gandler is looking for a multi-year deal for his client, with a reported cost of $2 Million per season, which is on par with what the feisty Finn made in the KHL.
Toronto has to recognize that one of the main contributors of their downfall last season was their overuse of core players to play top minutes and special teams and their lack of use of a viable fourth line. The benefit of quality depth is again showing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as the Kings are using veteran Mike Richards as their fourth line center and the Rangers are getting great performances out of bottom sixers Dominic Moore, Benoit Pouliot and Brian Boyle.
Komarov has the ability of playing center and wing, was good on faceoffs in limited use and could be capable of providing more offense than the four goals and five assists he registered during the lockout shortened 2013 season.
Gandler is in Toronto this week for the NHL Draft Combine and indicated that the Leafs will get the first crack at Komarov(who becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1), but that there should be plenty of interested parties if the Leafs do not step up. *******
The Toronto Marlies will take to the ice at Ricoh Coliseum on Wednesday as they face the Texas Stars in Game 3 of the Calder Cup Western Conference Final.
The series is tied 1-1, as Toronto survived a 50 shot barrage in a 5-1 victory in Game 1 on Friday, but succumbed to a steady Stars attack in a 6-3 loss at Cedar Park Center on Monday.
The loss was the first for Toronto in the postseason, who played an uncharacteristically undisciplined and wide-open game on Monday, which did not please head coach Steve Spott.
“We’ve got to be smarter, we’ve got to be tighter.… Spott said following the loss. “The margin of error this time of year really is slim and when you give a team like that (seven) power plays and opportunities to score with some weak coverages, that’s usually the result.…
Toronto yielded 102 shots in the two games in Texas and had difficulty keeping Stars forwards away from in front of the net, something they will have to cut down considerably if they hope to win the series and advance to the Calder Cup Final for the second time in three seasons.
The game is a 7pm start and can be seen on Rogers TV.
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