This past weekend and the beginning of Free Agency in the National Hockey League brought the unofficial start of Brad Treliving’s imprint on the roster. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ new general manager had no shortage of items to address. The past few days have provided everyone with a first glimpse of Treliving’s ideas on how he wants to structure his team. While the core of the team was not impacted, many transactions took place. Previous GM Kyle Dubas’ high-salaried commitment to a limited number of players left Treliving with little wiggle room around the salary cap. It’s time to assess the Toronto Maple Leafs’ early free-agency moves.
Limited Cap Space Causes Exodus of Players
The first day of free agency saw many of the Leafs’ unrestricted free agents sign with other teams. The quickly departed included Ryan O’Reilly, Noel Acciari, Alexander Kerfoot, Michael Bunting, Justin Holl, Erik Gustafsson, and Luke Schenn.
From that list, O’Rielly, Accarri, and Schenn were players the Leafs were most interested in retaining. O’Rielly chose the Nashville Predators after receiving a similar competitive contract from Toronto. You can’t fault the Leafs for not succumbing to O’Reilly’s wishes for a more prominent role. The team made a fair offer in this case, but the player chose elsewhere.
Accarri leaving for a contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins is more difficult to understand. The contract’s term and average annual value (AAV) are within reason, especially for a player that brings an element the Leafs need.
Schenn received term and value that was outside the Leafs’ comfort zone. Ironically, his end-of-season play with the Leafs increased his value. The fairy-tale return of the Leafs’ former first-rounder was short-lived. Again, a player with qualities the Leafs need leaves. Yet, 3 years with a $2.75 million AAV for an aging, potential third-pairing defencemen is a steep price to pay.
Day 1 Additions Were Uninspiring
The Leafs’ response on Day 1 of free agency was to sign Ryan Reaves to help in the locker room and with on-ice toughness. Having protection for the team’s flashy, but far from physical, stars make sense. However, that is too long of a deal for a player that might turn out to be an older, albeit bigger and stronger, version of Wayne Simmonds. The next addition was defenceman John Klingberg for 1 year at $4.15 million US. Klingberg brings some much-needed offence to the blue line and a threatening shot from the point. His downside is a lack of physical play and limited defensive ability. Treliving’s opening day moves can be best described as mediocre.
Day 2 Additions Deepen Forward Groups
Sunday brought new additions to help fill the spots vacated by Saturday’s exits. First, Tyler Bertuzzi was brought on, signing for a year at $5.5 million. Next, came an agreement with Max Domi. This deal was also for a year at $3 million. At first blush, the Bertuzzi contract shows a lot of money for an eight-goal scorer with thirty points last season. Yet, during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he came alive with ten points for the Boston Bruins in their first-round upset loss to the Florida Panthers. He has also hit the sixty-point plateau before. Bertuzzi will play on one of the top two lines and bring more to the team than Bunting. He brings more upside with little risk to the team based on the short-term contract.
Domi is another feel-good story in the making. A still young player with a history of reaching the twenty-goal mark and forty to sixty-point range. He is not being brought in to fill a prominent role. He provides depth and flexibility to the forward units.
Early Free Agency Moves Are Just the Beginning
With the heavy salary cap commitment towards their top players much player movement around the fringes of the Leafs’ roster is to be expected. Being able to land higher-profile players during free agency is hindered. Young players within the system must step into more prominent roles. This coming season the Leafs need contributions from Matthew Knies and Nick Robertson.
Treliving and the Leafs had a rather bland start to free agency. The regression of the roster was easy to see. A day later and there is reason for hope. Bertuzzi, Domi along with incumbents Knies and Robertson yield a higher ceiling for the forward units. O’Reilly chose not to return. Treliving responded quickly and effectively with these signings. The potential forward units are not worse, and perhaps better than last year. The goaltending is in good hands, with or without Matt Murray. Defence remains the biggest question mark.
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ early free agency moves were understandable, and perhaps, fruitful. They are currently about $5 million above the salary cap. More transactions are to come. So far, after a slow start, Treliving is proving capable of getting the job done.
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