Thoughts for the 2022 season

Team: 2022-23 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 17, 2022

Published: Jun. 17, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The Leafs will only have 82,287,500 in cap space next season due to Liljegren's performance bonuses. Fixing the bottom six, getting Sandin and Liljegren signed, and either re-signing Campbell or finding a new goalie should be #1 priorities. IMO Dubas will move on from Mrazek, Holl, Kerfoot, and Kase. I am just guessing on the trades. I could very well see Mrazek bought out, Kase is not qualified but I do believe they move on from Holl and Kerfoot for either picks or a hockey trade that brings in a player.

I'd like to see Robertson giving the opportunity in the top 6. Once he returned from a four-month layoff due to injury, there was a different look to his game. He averaged a point-per-game in his final 26 games of the season but points withstanding, he was more confident with and without the puck, not forcing plays to come to him, but getting in better spots for better looks at the net. He wasn’t getting pushed around as much as the prior season. It also seemed like he wasn’t afraid to throw his body around either, which is something we haven’t seen much of in the past. One of the most interesting aspects of Robertson’s stats was his goal-scoring and how much came at even-strength. Of his 16 goals this season, only four were either scored on the power play (3) or shorthanded (1). I would love for the Leafs to address the top 6 LW with someone like (Ondrej Palat, Rielly Smith, Nino Niederreiter) but I don't see a way they could fit them in once they have sorted out who their goalie will be. In this scenario you try Robertson with Tavares/Marner and could always move up Rodrigues. Accrue some cap space to add a top 6 FWD at the TDL.

I like to finally see the Leafs use the 4th line to start graduating some Marlies and give playing time to. Holmberg is an intriguing prospect coming off of a strong year in Sweden but could use time in the AHL to adjust to North America prior to filling in a fourth-line role in the NHL. In the Swedish Hockey League, which is a quality league, Holmberg scored 41 points in 46 games with Vaxjo Lakers HC. I could see him stealing a role out of camp, I am high on this player. Curtis Douglas is a player with great size, which makes him an interesting project. Great compete level and toughness (loves to drop the gloves). He is a project and wouldn't pencil him into too many games, but could be a nice call up due to injury. .Alex Steeves put up 23 goals in 58 games with the Marlies and also got the call up for 3 games last year. Works hard and a quick first step to gain separation. He has shown in the AHL is a 200ft player. Has the ability to compete for an NHL job next year. Make or break next year for Joey Anderson. There’s much to like about his game. He has a quick release and generally keeps himself above the play and doesn’t get caught out of position. Anderson will also work the boards and go to the crease looking for rebounds and tips. But he lacks the foot speed to keep in the NHL which I fear will be his undoing.

Free Agent Additions

Tyler Motte - A high motor who’s a pain in the ass to play against, Motte would be an excellent Mikheyev replacement. Coming off a contract that had a modest $1.225 million cap hit and has been a really nice addition to the Rangers since the trade deadline. A good chance they try to keep him, other options are: Nick Cousins, Zach Aston, Reese, Zach Sanford, Mattias Janmark

Evan Rodrigues - He would be a solid middle-six addition for the Leafs. Is coming off a solid season in Pittsburgh, scored 19 goals and added 24 assists in 82 games this past season. Should the Leafs look to move on from Kerfoot, which I believe they will, he would make an excellent replacement. Can play C or W, up and down the lineup, and could help out the 2nd PP unit. They tried to get a deal done before (acquired him in the Kapanen deal) could see them target him again. Other options could be: Vladislav Namestnikov, Paul Stastny, Calle Jarnkrok, Johan Larsson, Max Domi

Philippe Myers - Myers’ salary is $3.8m next season, the $1.25m difference between salary and cap hit is subtracted from the $633,334 buyout cost for a cap credit of $616,666 in 22-23. That would be followed by a $633,334 cap hit in 23-24. This presents the option of trading for Myers, could then buy him out to essentially borrow ~$0.6m in cap space from a future season. Since the Leafs had him on loan since the TDL with the Mariles I could see this type of scenario happen. They did this once before with Jared Cowen.

Patrik Hornqvist - Panthers are tight to the cap and have some pressing UFA's to sign. Hornqvist played 4th line minutes all season, buying him out makes too much sense not to happen. Would make a nice Vet presence and could have a lot of upside on a cheap deal. He may not want to play in Canada, other options could be: Michael Raffl, Trevor Lewis, Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano,

Should Campbell get a deal that beats this, which is very likely, or if he stays I can't see them giving him more term or money than this. Maybe he sees this as the right spot for him and doesn't want to leave, time will tell. Other options in net could be: Semyon Varlamov, Jonathan Quick, Marc-André Fleury, Ilya Samsonov as starters. Possible backup options: Eric Comrie, Scott Wedgewood, Casey DeSmith, Alexandar Georgiev(if he is bought out), Matt Murray(if he is bought out)

Other FA I would like to see targeted:
Troy Stecher RD
Chase Priskie RD
Noah Juulsen RD
Mark Pysyk RD/RW
Jan Rutta RD/LD
Justin Braun RD
Calvin de Haan LD/RD
Curtis Lazar C/RW
Colin Blackwell C/RW
Victor Rask C, LW

RFA's that COULD go unqualified:
Donminik Kubalik LW/RW
Dylan Strome C/LW
Sam Steel C/LW
Jaret Anderson-Dolan C/LW
Julien Gauthier RW

Draft Targets with picks acquired:
Pick 34 - Nathan Gaucher C
Pick 45 - Michael Fisher RD
Pick 79 - Logan Morrison C
Pick 115 - Tyson Jugnauth LD
Pick 132 - Gavin Hayes RW
Pick 218 - Cameron Whitehead G

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