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Leafs running out of contract space after signing Duszak

August 5, 2021, 1:01 PM ET [448 Comments]
Mike Augello
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The Toronto Maple Leafs took care of one of their two remaining unsigned players on Thursday, locking up defenseman Joseph Duszak on a one-year, two-way deal for $750,000 NHL / $150.000 AHL. The 24-year-old had 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) in 25 games for the AHL Toronto Marlies in his second professional season after three years in the NCAA at Mercyhurst College.

Duszak will join a well-stocked blueline compliment at Coca-Cola Coliseum that includes Leafs draftees Filip Kral, Mac Hollowell, and recent free agent additions Alex Biega and Carl Dahlstrom.

After the signing, Toronto has only Denis Malgin needing a contract. The Leafs submitted a qualifying offer for the 24-year-old forward to retain his rights, but it is possible that the Swiss native could play another year at home after leading Lausanne HC in scoring with 42 points last season.

According to Cap Friendly, Toronto has 47 pro contracts on the books and each team is limited to 50, but 2020 first round pick Rodion Amirov’s entry-level contract does not count against the limit, since the 19-year-old will be playing with Ufa Salavat of the KHL next season.

Most clubs want to maintain some flexibility and not go right up to the 50-contract limit, but it is possible that the Leafs will add another player or two on league minimum deals or on professional tryouts.

GM Kyle Dubas at the outset of free agency indicated that he was looking to add a veteran blueliner to replace the departed Zach Bogosian as insurance with Travis Dermott, Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren in the mix on the bottom pairing.

Possible options for that role could be former Panther, Ducks, Senators and Predators defenseman Erik Gudbranson, Ben Hutton (who was acquired by the Leafs at the trade deadline), or possibly future Hall-of-Famer Zdeno Chara.

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