Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Kings top-six forward pursuit could be a fit with Leafs

June 14, 2021, 1:49 PM ET [346 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Be sure to like HockeyBuzz on facebook!

For the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter

As the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals got underway on Sunday, 28 other NHL clubs are getting ready for the Seattle expansion draft, the NHL Draft and the beginning of free agency. The strategizing on the part of teams with impact players potentially available has already begun, as the Carolina Hurricanes gave pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Dougie Hamilton’s agent permission to speak to other teams, the Buffalo Sabres are starting the process of shopping disgruntled center Jack Eichel, and Columbus may be exploring options with blueliner Seth Jones.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are not expected to be in the mix for any of these players. Hamilton will likely draw a seven-year max deal in access of $8 million per season from clubs looking to upgrade on defense like Philadelphia and Los Angeles, Eichel has five years left at $10 million AAV and the Leafs have $22.634 million per year tied up in their top two centers Auston Matthews and John Tavares, and unless GM Kyle Dubas is interested in the hockey version of the Kahwi – DeMar deal, trading for Jones would likely be a one-and-gone scenario.

What Dubas has to be looking at are possible avenues that allow Toronto to re-sign valuable players like Zach Hyman to a reasonable number that is workable for both sides on a long-term deal and possibly work out an extension for defenseman Morgan Rielly with a year left on his deal, but both options seem unlikely unless the Leafs move out a significant salary.

Clearing out the $3.5 million AAV of Alex Kerfoot (either in the expansion draft or by trade) along with Frederik Andersen’s $5 million salary will not be enough to accomplish those feats and make the big impact move that insiders like Elliotte Friedman and Chris Johnston believe is coming.

One option that makes a lot of sense might involve Los Angeles and their summer pursuits that TSN’s Darren Dreger and Friedman have both reported on.

The Kings have a bevy of young prospects on entry-level contracts, extra draft picks in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Drafts, and more than $20 million in available cap space with the buyout of Dion Phaneuf, the terminated contract of Ilya Kovalchuk dropping off and after clearing out half of Jeff Carter’s cap hit at the deadline. Next summer another $11 million opens up with Carter’s retained salary ending and the contracts of Olli Maatta and Dustin Brown expiring.

Kings insider John Hoven indicates that GM Rob Blake wants to add a top-six forward, preferably one who can play on LA’s top line next season and someone with significant real NHL experience.

In spite of their protestations about believing in the core group that lost in the first round for the fifth straight year, the Leafs have to be looking at making changes at the top of their lineup and the Kings have the right components to make an enticing offer for someone like William Nylander, who fits all the criteria they are looking for.

Dubas and Blake have made significant trades in the recent past involving Jake Muzzin and Kyle Clifford/Jack Campbell, which makes it likely that the two sides can strike a fair bargain again. Short of 2020 second overall pick Quinton Byfield, the Kings could be willing to trade one or two prospects (Alex Turcotte, Arthur Kaliyev, Tyler Madden, Rasmus Kupari, Samuel Fagemo, Jaret Anderson-Dolan) in a deal for a top-six forward.

Nylander’s remaining term (three years at $6.962 million AAV) and a strong playoff showing would be considered pluses for LA and adding one or two players on their ELC’s would potentially give the Leafs more than $5 million in cap flexibility to make other moves.

*******







*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
Join the Discussion: » 346 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Mike Augello
» Leafs Top Capitals; Benoit Signed To Three-Year Extension
» Matthews Game-Time Decision; 2023 Draftees Update; Leafs vs. Capitals
» Leafs Frustrated And Immature In Loss To Devils
» Practicing Load Management Down The Stretch; Leafs vs. Devils
» Woll Wonderful In Loss To Canes; Keefe Downplaying Samsonov Injury