NHL rumours are here and Toronto’s UFA duo, Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi could be testing the free agency market on July 1. Also, there have been discussions about a new look on the back end. Lots of topics to unfold for the Toronto Maple Leafs as we get closer to the draft.
Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi are both likely to test free agency on Monday.
Chris Tanev appears to be the Leafs’ top choice for defense, while Perron, Joshua, and Jake DeBrusk are seen as forwards the Leafs like.
[via: @mirtle , @jonassiegel] #leafsforever pic.twitter.com/FoghRXPBAZ
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) June 26, 2024
NHL Rumours
Rumour: According to The Athletic‘s James Mirtle and Jonas Siegel, there are rumours about forwards Domi and Bertuzzi testing free agency.
The Toronto duo had a great season together last season, specifically in the second half. Toward the end of the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Bruins, they both shared the first line with Mitch Marner. The Leafs had to deal with injuries and illnesses with William Nylander and Auston Matthews.
Weeks ago, there was some traction on the idea that general manager Brad Treliving was in conversations with both Domi and Bertuzzi. However, Mirtle and Siegel think otherwise and that the Maple Leafs are going to have some holes to fill this off-season. On The Leaf Report podcast (hosted by Mirtle and Siegel) they said that the Leafs could be in on a few winger replacements. The likes of David Perron, Jake DeBrusk, and Dakota Joshua were mentioned. There have been many rumours on DeBrusk and Joshua recently, both being reportedly interested in joining Toronto.
Defence Requires Attention in the Off-season
On top of needing to fill holes up front, Treliving’s hands will be full with finding right-handed defencemen. There were several names thrown around on the podcast regarding what blueliners could be added to the Leafs roster. Ontario-born Chris Tanev, was said to be a possibility for the Maple Leafs. He’s a defenceman that has been rumoured to Toronto for a while now. However, Siegel and Mirtle said that Treliving is linked with with many big name defencemen. Inlcuding Tanev, Brandon Montour, Nikita Zadorov and more.
Currently, on Toronto’s NHL roster, only Timothy Liljegren is on the books (and if you want to include Connor Timmins and Max Lajoie). However, Liljegren is a pending RFA and Toronto need to decide if they want to re-sign him or trade him. Siegel and Mirtle also brought up that the Swede could face arbitration. With that, many defenceman that played for Toronto this past season are rumoured to test free agency. Those names include, T. J. Brodie, Ilya Lyubushkin, and Joel Edmundson. All of them played roles for the Buds in the playoffs. Regardless, Toronto still need to find a couple of d-men in free agency, preferably right-handed ones to fill the gaps.
Salary Cap Creativity
Treliving has his work cut out for him and has one of the toughest jobs among all GM’s this off-season. Not only does he have to deal with completing his roster for next season, there’s also the Marner situation.
Brad Treliving: “We’ve got a lot of work to do this summer.” pic.twitter.com/aC38BHrlJP
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 26, 2024
Whether the Leafs decide to re-sign or trade the 27-year-old, there isn’t much freedom for them financially. It’s clear that they need to make several signings this summer and they’re going to have to look for cheap options. They have just over $19M in cap space with eight roster spots to fill, important roster spots at that. Expect some big moves from Treliving and company.
Main Photo: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
