{"id":80801,"date":"2020-07-21T09:45:57","date_gmt":"2020-07-21T13:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=80801"},"modified":"2020-07-20T14:33:35","modified_gmt":"2020-07-20T18:33:35","slug":"toronto-maple-leafs-offseason-primer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/07\/21\/toronto-maple-leafs-offseason-primer\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto Maple Leafs Offseason Primer"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the NHL moves ahead with its\u00a0Return to Play plan<\/a>, Last Word on Hockey is taking a look towards the offseason. In terms of building a franchise, the offseason is the most crucial time of the year for front offices. However, due to COVID-19, the short-term future of how this operates has seen sweeping changes. How teams respond to a multitude of changes this fall remains to be seen. This series attempts to examine what choices teams may have to make.<\/p>\n

The first batch of Offseason Primers will feature Atlantic Division squads. Today\u2019s edition delves into the possibilities surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>\u00a0offseason.<\/p>\n

Toronto Maple Leafs Offseason Primer<\/h2>\n

Pending Free Agents<\/h3>\n

While the Maple Leafs don’t have any hugely important contracts up for discussion, they still have a lot of intriguing younger pieces that are in need of new deals. It should prove to be a hectic offseason once again for general manager\u00a0Kyle Dubas<\/strong>. His unrestricted free agents include\u00a0Cody Ceci<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Tyson Barrie<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Kyle Clifford<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Jason Spezza<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Miikka Salomaki<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Garrett Wilson<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Kevin Gravel<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Tyler Gaudet<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Matt Lorito<\/strong>, and the dead-weight contracts of\u00a0Nathan Horton<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0David Clarkson<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0Kasimir Kaskisuo<\/a><\/strong> is a Group Six UFA.<\/p>\n

Toronto’s also got some interesting names in the RFA department. Those eligible for arbitration include\u00a0Ilya Mikheyev<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Denis Malgin<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Frederik Gauthier<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Max Veronneau<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0and\u00a0Pontus Aberg<\/a><\/strong>. Their non-arbitration-eligible RFAs are Travis Dermott<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Jeremy Bracco<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Salary Cap Outlook<\/h3>\n

The Maple Leafs are another one of those teams who may have significant troubles navigating a flat cap world. They come into this offseason with only $4.59 million in salary-cap space for next season. It’s entirely possible Toronto may need to move on from a forward in order to free up some salary. This may not be too challenging considering their plethora of skilled wingers.<\/p>\n

Likely Departures<\/h4>\n

Tyson Barrie<\/h5>\n

Historically one of the better offensive defensemen in the league, Barrie was one of the league’s most disappointing offseason acquisitions this past season. Acquired via trade from the Colorado Avalanche<\/a> in the\u00a0Nazem Kadri<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>deal, Barrie had one of his worst offensive campaigns in recent memory. His goal total of five was his lowest ever in a full season, and his 39-point campaign was a 20-point recession from last year.<\/p>\n

He simply never quite fit in with Toronto’s system even after their coaching change and was a strong defensive liability on the ice as well. However, it’s likely that he’ll be able to rediscover his game elsewhere, as both parties involved likely won’t be interested in a contract extension.<\/p>\n

Cody Ceci<\/h5>\n

Ceci had a disappointing year in Toronto as well, even by his standards. Also acquired by trade before this season from the Ottawa Senators<\/a>, Ceci had the worst offensive campaign of his career. While he isn’t known for his point production, he still saw a sharp drop from his 26-point 2018\u201319 season. Ceci only scored one goal and eight points, even worse than his nine-point rookie season all the way back in 2013-14. He was abysmal in terms of possession as well, posting a 49.7 percent Corsi For and a -3.7 percent relative Corsi For.<\/p>\n

Ceci could revitalize his career on the open market, but he won’t be doing so with Toronto.<\/p>\n

Andreas Johnsson<\/a><\/h5>\n

While not a pending free agent, Toronto will need to move out one contract this summer in order to retain some of their other pending free agents. Johnsson presents himself as a clear candidate. While the former seventh-round pick has impressed at times, he suffered a serious sophomore slump this season. His point totals dropped from 20 goals and 43 points last year to only eight goals and 21 points this year, albeit in an injury-shortened campaign.<\/p>\n

Still, the pending emergence of\u00a0Nicholas Robertson<\/strong> makes Johnsson expendable as Toronto can fill his role internally. Johnsson’s $3.4 million cap hit will now leave Toronto with $7.99 million in cap space.<\/p>\n

Denis Malgin<\/h5>\n

Acquired midseason from the Florida Panthers<\/a>, Malgin was expected to help bolster the team’s penalty kill and provide additional depth scoring. He did neither of the two, as he went pointless in eight games as a Maple Leaf. Toronto can likely find cheaper options in free agency to fill his role or might fill it internally, making Malgin an expendable piece. Don’t expect him to receive a qualifying offer from the team.<\/p>\n

Likely Re-Signings<\/h4>\n
Ilya Mikheyev<\/h5>\n

In an injury-abbreviated rookie season, Mikheyev quickly proved himself as a valuable contributor to the Leafs’ offence. Tallying 23 points in only 39 games, he showed immediately that he’s NHL-ready and then some. He factors in as an important middle-six forward for the Leafs for the long-term, and Toronto likely gives him a sort of bridge deal as he looks to prove himself over the long-term. Evolving-Hockey’s contract projection tool<\/a> (subscription required) pegs the Mikheyev extension at three years and $3.09 million a season, bringing the Leafs down to $4.9 million in cap headroom.<\/p>\n

Travis Dermott<\/h5>\n

A former second-round pick, the Leafs have gotten three solid seasons out of Dermot. Largely playing in a third-pairing role, Dermott’s offensive game hasn’t turned heads but he plays a solid transitional game. He’s one of Toronto’s better defensemen in terms of actually limiting offensive opportunities against, and they’ll certainly want to have him around again.<\/p>\n

Evolving-Hockey projects a fair two-year deal valued at $1.79 million a year. Toronto is left with $3.11 million in space.<\/p>\n

Kyle Clifford<\/h5>\n

A wily veteran of ten NHL seasons (and a two-time Stanley Cup champion!), Clifford brought his rough and tumble game to the Leafs this season after he was acquired via trade from the Los Angeles Kings<\/a>. He fits nicely on any NHL team’s fourth line and brings a physical presence that Toronto sorely lacks. For that reason, the Leafs will extend Clifford this offseason. Both he and the team are interested in an extension<\/a>, and Toronto will have the room to make it work after trading Johnsson. After Evolving-Hockey’s projected two-year, $1.46 million deal, Toronto has $1.65 million in space left.<\/p>\n

Jason Spezza<\/h5>\n

Spezza and Clifford are almost in the exact same situation here. Spezza plays a more offensively-oriented game but is still more suited for that fourth-line role. He’s a cheap veteran depth piece who provides leadership and stability to a young team. Spezza wants to stay with the team, and the team wants him to stay.<\/p>\n

Evolving-Hockey projects a one-year, $1.65 million extension, bringing Toronto directly up against the salary cap.<\/p>\n

Potential Free Agent Additions<\/h4>\n

Like their Atlantic Division rival Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a>, the Leafs will have little to no room to add via free agency. Luckily for Toronto, they have plenty of cheap young players like Robertson,\u00a0Mikko Lehtonen<\/strong>,\u00a0Alexander Barabanov<\/strong>, and others that will be able to fill some of their holes internally.<\/p>\n

Check out the other Offseason Primers for the Atlantic Division:<\/p>\n

Boston Bruins<\/a>
\nBuffalo Sabres<\/a>
\nDetroit Red Wings<\/a>
\nFlorida Panthers<\/a>
\nMontreal Canadiens<\/a>
\nOttawa Senators<\/a>
\nTampa Bay Lightning<\/a><\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>