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Dubas continues being proactive, signs Borgman; Leafs vs. Canucks

March 6, 2019, 6:56 PM ET [1151 Comments]
Mike Augello
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Kyle Dubas has been busy getting whatever business he can get done in advance of what is expected to be a busy offseason for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Leafs announced their second contract extension of the week, locking up defenseman Andreas Borgman on a one-year two-way deal for $700,000.

The 23-year-old Swede played in the first half of last season with the Leafs, but was demoted to the American Hockey League in January when Travis Dermott was recalled.

Borgman plays with a physical edge, but has struggled with injuries since signing with the Leafs two years ago. The 6’0” 212 lb. blueliner played only two games during the Toronto Marlies Calder Cup run last season and has been out since mid-February with concussion symptoms, but has 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists) in 39 AHL games this season.



Toronto has their work cut out for them this summer, with Mitch Marner, Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson needing new deals. Both Marner and Johnsson’s representatives have told the Leafs that they prefer to discuss a new contract in the off-season, while Kapanen’s agent reportedly was open towards a possible bridge deal.

With the uncertain landscape of what they will have to work with in terms of the amount of the salary cap and how much their RFA’s will be asking for, Dubas has been active in getting some cost certainty wherever he can.

Toronto has been proactive in locking up three players who are almost certain to be on the NHL roster next season and for less than $1 Million per season (Calle Rosen, 2 years - $750,000 AAV, winger Trevor Moore, 2 years - $775,000 AAV and backup goalie Garret Sparks, 1 year, $750,000 AAV).

Moore is already having an impact as a fourth liner, Rosen might step in for the injured Jake Gardiner once he returns from a foot injury and Borgman could be in the mix at training camp next September if veteran Ron Hainsey retires and Gardiner departs via free agency.

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The Leafs face the Vancouver Canucks in the second of their three-game Western Canada road swing at Rogers Arena.

Nazem Kadri practiced with the club on Wednesday morning and felt good after over two weeks with concussion symptoms, but the center did not get the thumbs up from the Leafs medical staff and will miss his eighth straight game.

Nic Petan skated between Tyler Ennis and Trevor Moore in place of Frederik Gauthier on the fourth line and Justin Holl will start on the bottom pairing alongside Martin Marincin in place of Igor Ozhiganov

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