After nearly a month, the bulk of the 2018 unrestricted free agent class has been signed and no team made a bigger splash than the Toronto Maple Leafs with the addition of superstar center John Tavares, but with a year remaining on the entry-level contracts of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, Leafs GM Kyle Dubas has a one-year window of opportunity to add talent and increase Toronto’s chances to win their first Stanley Cup in 52 years.
The Leafs have $14.7 Million in available cap space for 2018-19 and only restricted free agent William Nylander unsigned, which means that after the 22-year-old winger agrees to a short-term bridge or long-term deal, Dubas has enough room to add an impact player in that window and a prospect-laden organization to get a deal done.
Toronto’s need to upgrade on the blueline is well chronicled, but has limited options with a large chunk of the 2019 defensive free agent class (Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Ryan McDonagh, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Drew Doughty) re-signing with their current clubs.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated in an appearance on NHL Network last week that teams like the San Jose Sharks (who lost the bidding war for Tavares) and the Leafs are looking to load up and could make one more big move before the beginning of the season.
Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalanien has only a few options with star forward Artemi Panarin after meeting with him and his representative earlier this month. The 26-year-old scored 82 points (27 goals, 55 assists) in his first season in Columbus, but indicated that he was not interested in re-signing with the club after next season and will not discuss a new deal after September 13.
It is possible that the Jackets will keep Panarin through the season and deal him at the trade deadline depending on where they are in the standings.
The addition of Panarin would help the Leafs more than make up for the departure of James van Riemsdyk, who led the team with 36 goals and was a lethal weapon on their top power play.
Taking the cap space and possible openness in adding a player as a rental for a season or less, here are some other options the Leafs might explore:
Wayne Simmonds – LW-RW, Philadelphia Flyers
Simmonds has been a top-level power forward for seven seasons in Philadelphia, but his goal total dipped to 24 last year and his usually energetic play declined because of nagging injuries.
The Flyers signing van Riemsdyk to a five-year, $35 Million contract could be an indicator that GM Ron Hextall is hesitant to commit to the 29-year-old long-term and with Claude Giroux, Jacob Voracek and van Riemsdyk making $7 Million or more, there may not be room for another pricey forward contract.
The Scarborough, ON native would give the Leafs more offense along with a physical presence in their top six, something that was a contributing factor in their first round loss to Boston.
Erik Karlsson – D, Ottawa Senators
The Norris Trophy winner appeared to be bound for Tampa Bay earlier this month, but the deal did not come off and Senators GM Pierre Dorion has to reconsider his options. All indicators point to Karlsson not agreeing to an eight-year extension anywhere and becoming a free agent next summer, which means that Ottawa will get a return reflective of a one-year rental, but that still better nothing at all.
Karlsson would be almost a dream scenario for the Leafs, who would perfectly slot in on the right side of their top defensive pairing and play 25+ minutes per night, but it is highly questionable whether the Sens would ever deal their best player to their greatest rival, unless they got a return so good that it would make the blowback from the Ottawa fan base worth their while.
Jeff Skinner – LW/RW, Carolina Hurricanes
Skinner’s name has been popular in trade speculation ever since new owner Thomas Dundon purchased the Hurricanes. In spite of Carolina ongoing offensive challenges, they appear intent on moving the speedy winger (who scored 24 goals last season), in the final year of a six-year contract.
The 26-year-old Toronto native has a $5.725 Million cap hit, which may be the impediment that has prevented Canes GM Don Waddell from getting a good return, as well as the diminutive winger’s history of concussions.
Toronto could possibly have Skinner slot in on the left side with Tavares and Mitch Marner, moving the defensively adept Zach Hyman down to the third line.
Ryan Ellis – D, Nashville Predators
Ellis may be a victim of circumstance in Nashville. The speedy 27-year-old blueliner posted a career-high 38 points two years ago and 32 points in just 44 games last season.
Entering the last year of a five-year, $12.5 Million contract, Ellis will likely be looking to hit the jackpot on a new deal, but goaltender Pekka Rinne is an unrestricted free agent, defenseman Roman Josi eligible to sign an extension next summer and the Preds have a potential replacement in 2016 first rounder Dante Fabbro (currently at Boston University).
Adding Eliis to the Leafs defense would immediately upgrade their right side and allow veteran Ron Hainsey to shift to the bottom pairing, giving Toronto more depth and playoff experience.
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