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Way Too Early 2024 2025 Predictions With Explanations

Created by: NorthernLeafsFan05
Team: 2024-25 Toronto Maple Leafs
Initial Creation Date: Jan. 12, 2024
Published: Jan. 12, 2024
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Legend
Left Handed
Original Team
Waivers Exempt
Right Handed
Position
Trade Clause
Max Perf. Bonus
Expiry Status
Term Remaining
Logo of the Edmonton Oilers
Waivers ExemptMcDavid, Connor
$12,500,000 (Performance Bonus$250,000)
C
NMC
UFA - 5
Description
It's no secret that the Leafs are going to have a ton of money locked up in their core group next season. Much is being made of this fact, but in reality we have actually got quite a bit of cap space to work with. As long as the Leafs front office is smart with their spending and priorities, this team could easily take steps forward even with ~55 mil being spent on the core 5.

First, I want to touch briefly on the trades. I have put my reasoning in the additional details so I won't go too in depth, but I want to touch on why I think these 2 guys are getting dealt. To put it simply, they are Dubas guys. It's clear that Treliving wants a beefier roster with defensively capable puck movers on the back end and all offense forwards up front. Timmins, despite being one of my favourite Leafs, just doesn't fit that archetype. I personally dont think that we should move on from him, but he is not being utilized in Keefe's system and is not responsible enough in his own end. I think he's going to get moved for peanuts. Robertson is another guy who I think is nearing his end as a Leaf, as his small stature doesn't bring the physicality Treliving wants up front and Keefe doesn't trust him at all. Shipping him to Anaheim seems like a good bet, and getting back a prospect who fits the bill for Treliving would be alright with me.

Now onto the construction of the forward group. Both Steeves and Holmberg lose their waiver exemptions next season, so the Leafs will have to make a decision on them. Steeves is an excellent young player and has done everything he can for the Marlies. It's time to start giving him NHL minutes. The same can be said about Holmberg, minus the "needing NHL minutes" because he is already getting them. Hell, Keefe preferred Holmberg to Robertson. I think he is a lock to make this team next season, and he will likely sub in as 4C to start. With Holmberg looking likely to make the jump full time next season and Kampf locked down for the foreseeable future, there is unfortunately no room for Domi. Bertuzzi hasn't produced well, but unless he gets dealt at the TDL I think the Leafs will try and re-sign him. If he does get moved, I'd let to try and pry Kuzmenko and Silovs out of Vancouver. Now for the new additions. Nick Cousins was a guy I really wanted before he went to Florida. He's a very useful bottom 6 player with some grit. He'd make a great Leaf. Brandon Duhaime is another guy I'd absolutely love to sign. Hes a great penalty killer and a speedy physical presence for the 4th line. Kuzmenko would be the perfect compliment to Matthews and Marner, and shouldn't cost much considering Vancouver would like to move his deal (in this case, I have the Leafs acquiring him at the TDL to make way for other trades). Frederik Olofsson is the only other new addition at forward here, and I really like the idea of bringing him in for depth.

Time for the blue line. I know that Chris Tanev has been the apple of Treliving's eye for a little while now, but I'd personally prefer to see the Leafs get younger. If he is willing to take a pretty significant discount, then by all means give him Desharnais' money, but I really don't want to see the Leafs dish out a significant amount of money to a guy on the wrong side of 30. Here, I have proposed adding Hanifin, Walker, and Desharnais, as well as calling up Rifai. Marshal Rifai is a guy who the organization clearly likes, and for good reason. He skates really well, defends quite nicely, and is a complete a**hole out on the ice. The success that Benoit has found under Keefe gives me a lot of hope for Rifai, who also loses his waiver exemption next season. I'd love to see him get a good look with the Leafs, and he could rotate with Gio. Hanifin is a guy I could see the Leafs going out and targetting at the TDL, he would completely change the dynamic of the blue line here, and it's pretty easy to facilitate an extenion. Walker brings some of that much needed offense to the blueline while still being good enough to defend adequately. Desharnais is another guy who I'd like to see the Leafs add, I think he'd round out the third pair nicely and is evidently a guy Treliving likes (talked to Edmonton about acquiring him for Lafferty prior to Vancouver trade). Like I previously mentioned, if Tanev is willing to take a huge discount to play for the Leafs, then give him Desharnais' spot. If not, then Vinny will do. I also really want to see Liljegren get a semi-long term extension, he has been excellent this season.

As for our backup goalie, there really aren't a ton of interesting options out on the Free Agent market. Maybe Talbot for his experience
Free Agent Signings
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
2$900,000
2$800,000
2$800,000
4$3,250,000
UFAYEARSCAP HIT
7$7,000,000
3$2,800,000
1$800,000
1$775,000
1$900,000
2$950,000
5$5,000,000
1$1,250,000
Trades
1.
TOR
  1. Montgomery, Bryce [Reserve List]
  2. 2024 7th round pick (CAR)
Additional Details:
The Hurricanes move on from Montgomery who has no real future in Carolina with guys like Nikishin and Morrow in the system. Montgomery is a big body defensive defenseman who moves well, but isn't a surefire NHL player. More of a salary move for the Leafs who don't intend on utilizing Timmins by the looks of it
CAR
  1. Timmins, Conor
Additional Details:
Carolina adds a young, cheap, high upside RHD for next to nothing due to Toronto's want for a move defensively sound, physical blue line. Timmins would breakout big time in Carolina
2.
TOR
  1. Helleson, Drew
Additional Details:
Leafs finally give Robertson his chance to shine elsewhere and add a capable defensive defenseman with good puck moving abilities. He fits the Leo Carlsson timeline nicely and is a better long term solution that Vatrano. Good motor and an excellent shooter.
ANA
  1. Robertson, Nicholas [RFA Rights]
Additional Details:
Prospect swap at 2023 TDL. Crowded Ducks blue line (Mintyukov, Zellweger, LaCombe, Luneau, Fowler, Gudas) causes the Ducks to pivot and add a talented scoring winger for their future.

Not overly familiar with Anaheim's stance on Drew Helleson, but the Ducks have a surplus of young defenseman who I'd be interested in. I could see Verbeek being hesitant about Robertson because of his size, but writing him off because of something so arbitrary would be a mistake. He plays a very complete game and drives play in the right direction.
Buyouts
DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2024
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the NYI
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the CGY
Logo of the VAN
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the OTT
Logo of the CAR
2025
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the CHI
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
2026
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
21$87,500,000$87,219,667$0$0$280,333

Roster

Left WingCentreRight Wing
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$5,000,000$5,000,000
LW, RW
UFA
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$13,250,000$13,250,000
C
NMC
UFA - 4
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$10,903,000$10,903,000
RW
NMC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$925,000$925,000
LW, RW
RFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$11,000,000$11,000,000
C, LW
NMC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$11,500,000$11,500,000
RW
NMC
UFA - 8
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$900,000$900,000
LW, RW
RFA
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$800,000$800,000
C, LW
RFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$2,100,000$2,100,000
RW, C, LW
M-NTC
UFA - 2
$800,000$800,000
LW, C
UFA
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$2,400,000$2,400,000
C
M-NTC
UFA - 3
$900,000$900,000
RW, LW
UFA
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$7,500,000$7,500,000
LD
NMC
UFA - 6
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$3,250,000$3,250,000
RD
RFA
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$766,667$766,667
G
RFA - 1
$7,000,000$7,000,000
LD
UFA - 8
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$2,000,000$2,000,000
LD/RD
M-NTC
UFA - 1
$1,250,000$1,250,000
G
UFA
$2,800,000$2,800,000
LD/RD
UFA
$950,000$950,000
RD
UFA
ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
$775,000$775,000
C, LW
UFA

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Top Comments

Jan. 12 at 4:35 p.m.
#1
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Joined: Jun. 2021
Posts: 16,675
Likes: 12,870
Anaheim is not trading Robertson for Helleson

A Verbeek type of guy for the opposite? No shot
Jan. 12 at 4:40 p.m.
#2
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Joined: Aug. 2023
Posts: 85
Likes: 20
Where the heck is Bobby McMann?? Do you even watch hockey brotha Confused
Jan. 12 at 4:58 p.m.
#3
Amirov Forever
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Joined: Mar. 2022
Posts: 6,776
Likes: 6,253
Quoting: CHIEFRAMROD420
Where the heck is Bobby McMann?? Do you even watch hockey brotha Confused


Cousins and Duhaime better compliment what I assume is Treliving's want for a physical, chippy 4th line. Duhaime is a speedy, physical presence who can PK (and does a damn good job) and Cousins is just the definition of a prick. I love Bobby, but I'm not convinced he's in the long term plans
Jan. 12 at 5:20 p.m.
#4
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Joined: Aug. 2023
Posts: 85
Likes: 20
Quoting: NorthernLeafsFan05
Cousins and Duhaime better compliment what I assume is Treliving's want for a physical, chippy 4th line. Duhaime is a speedy, physical presence who can PK (and does a damn good job) and Cousins is just the definition of a prick. I love Bobby, but I'm not convinced he's in the long term plans


McMann is there future.. Next year will be his break out szn
Jan. 12 at 8:39 p.m.
#5
leaf fan
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Joined: Jun. 2021
Posts: 589
Likes: 80
Quoting: CHIEFRAMROD420
McMann is there future.. Next year will be his break out szn

Lol. Wont even be in the playoff roster. But ok
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