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Realistic Off-Season

Created by: TrueCanuck
Team: 2021-22 Toronto Maple Leafs
Initial Creation Date: Jun. 11, 2021
Published: Jun. 11, 2021
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
I see this at the most likely look at an off-season, and if I were a Leafs fan I wouldn't hate it considering the circumstances. I highly doubt any of the big 4 are moved, I think if a huge move were to come it would be moving Morgan Rielly. but that seems unlikely as well. It's going to be an off-season fuelled by rumours (thanks CJ), but definitely an interesting and key point for Toronto.

As for the draft, I've posted prospects before that I think Toronto should look at. Based on my own scouting reports, this is who I think Toronto should pick:

2nd round, 59th overall - (C) Oliver Kapanen - KalPa (u20 SM-sarja)

5th round, 155th overall - (D) Hugo Gabrielson - Frolunda HC (J20 Nationell)

6th round, 187th overall - (C) Josh Doan - Chicago Steel (USHL)

6th round, 191st overall - (D) Luke Mittelstadt - Eden Prarie High (USHS-MN)

*If you'd like an opinion or personal scouting report on any of these players, just ask in the comments*


The main need will be to re-establish the team's depth with players who have performed in playoffs before. From there, it's on the core to start performing when it matters most otherwise next off-season will likely see drastic changes. I see Toronto likely rolling with the 20 man roster again this season. Because of their cap situation it makes it incredibly difficult to have healthy scratches on the roster, but with the Marlies right down the street (literally) it's not a problem calling people up and managing the cap. They've done a great job at doing this for the last 2 seasons and I don't see it being a problem again this season.

Thoughts?
Free Agent Signings
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
1$756,000
2$817,500
1$1,075,000
2$1,650,000
1$896,875
1$775,000
UFAYEARSCAP HIT
1$750,000
2$1,175,000
6$5,250,000
1$900,000
1$1,075,000
1$800,000
1$750,000
1$825,000
1$750,000
1$800,000
1$750,000
1$750,000
Offer Sheets
Offer sheet annual average (AAV) is calculated by dividing the contract value by the lower of: 1. The contract length, or 2. Five years
PLAYERAAVCOMPENSATION
Athanasiou, Andreas$1,075,000No Compensation
Senyshyn, Zach$775,000No Compensation
Trades
1.
TOR
  1. Carrier, William
  2. 2021 6th round pick (VGK)
  3. 2022 3rd round pick (VAN)
VGK
  1. Kerfoot, Alexander
Additional Details:
Leafs sell on Kerfoot after being one of their top 3 playoff performers but being at risk of losing him for nothing to Seattle. The main piece coming back is the 2022 3rd round pick (VAN) and cap space for the team to sign pending UFA's. Leafs also receive a 4th line physical role player to that brings energy most shifts and is fairly decent defensively. Finally Toronto adds a late round pick in a wild card draft to add to a prospect system that's lacking in quantity.

Vegas receives Kerfoot who's extremely versatile, being able to play any position in the top 9 while also being able to play power-play and penalty kill minutes. Kerfoot comes with team control at 2 more years on a very reasonable $3.5M. Likely replaces a player like Mattias Janmark who Vegas added for their playoff run this season.
2.
TOR
    Seattle Kraken are compensated with a 2023 5th round pick (TOR) for ensuring they will select Travis Dermott. Toronto makes this deal with a handshake agreement on a contract extension with Zach Hyman.

    Leafs protect 8 skaters + 1 goalie (Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander, Rielly, Brodie, Muzzin, Brodie, and Campbell).
    SEA
    1. Dermott, Travis [RFA Rights]
    2. 2023 5th round pick (TOR)
    3.
    TOR
    1. Dvorak, Christian
    2. Hill, Adin [RFA Rights]
    3. 2022 5th round pick (ARI)
    ARI
    1. Abramov, Mikhail
    2. Niemelä, Topi [Reserve List]
    3. Vehvilainen, Veini [RFA Rights]
    4. 2022 2nd round pick (TOR)
    Additional Details:
    The big move of the off-season for the Leafs comes from the rumour started by Chris Johnston that everyone's heard by now. I see Dubas targeting someone who plays a similar game to Nick Foligno, which is a versatile top 9 forward who plays a solid 2way game, but can jump into the top 6 if needed. CJ didn't say exactly who was being targeted, but Christian Dvorak fits everything Toronto needs in a player right now so I can definitely see a move being made. He's a 200ft player that can be a shutdown centre or can jump into that top 6 spot on the left side beside either Matthews/Marner or Tavares/Nylander. He's also a player that can help be a net front presence on the PP and give Toronto a boost on a PP that has struggled for 2 seasons now. He comes with multiple years left on his deal at a relatively reasonable cap hit for Toronto to manage while fitting the age of the core perfectly. Add in his history of playing with Marner in junior, and it seems like a perfect fit. I could also see Dubas looking to address the backup goalie situation in the same deal, as he's done in the past with the Clifford/Campbell deal. Here is where I like Adin Hill. Hill has been putting up solid numbers in Arizona for 2 seasons and will likely be looking for more of a shot at a starter's role soon. In Arizona, unless they move Kuemper, he really won't get that opportunity. In Toronto however, he comes in to immediately battle with Campbell for the starter's role, and while the edge may be in Campbell's favour, there's room for competition in net. With Campbell only having 1 season remaining on his contract, it gives Hill a better shot at a long term starter's role.

    For Arizona, a big part of this deal is real money moved. They're not typically a wealthy franchise, so saving any kind of money is key. That being said, back at the deadline when they were rumoured to be listening to offers on Connor Garland, it was said that they were only willing to do so if they could restock their depleted farm system: they do that here by moving Dvorak instead. Arizona receives a highly offensive prospect in Mikhail Abramov who tore up the QMJHL, similar to Garland. Abarmov has been known as a great analytical prospect as well, so a future with him in Arizona's top 6 is a high possibility. They also receive a very good right handed defence prospect in Topi Niemela. Niemela's value shot up after being named the top defenceman in the u20 World Juniors, but he ceiling is still likely a #3-4 defenceman. The Coyotes also add a cheap backup option in Veini Vehvilainen, who's excelled in Europe but it hasn't translated to NHL success yet. However, if he's put in a good defensive system he should be a capable backup behind Kuemper, and he'll be a cheap option that can pass through waivers without worrying about getting claimed. Finally, the Coyotes add a relatively high draft pick after losing a high pick due to their scouting scandal that helps restock the prospect system even more.
    4.
    TOR
    1. Kylington, Oliver [RFA Rights]
    CGY
    1. Der-Arguchintsev, Semyon
    Additional Details:
    For Toronto, they look to add another puck moving left handed defenceman. After Morgan Rielly and Rasmus Sandin it gets pretty thin, so some depth in case of injury will be needed. Oliver Kylington is a guy that was praised in his draft year for his skating and puck moving but ultimately fell to 60th overall due to his defensive ability. Rumours were out that Toronto wanted to take him with the 61st pick, but ultimately he wasn't available. In him they add a depth defenceman that can come into a more offensive coaching system where he may be able to fit better.

    As for Calgary, they've been repeatedly reported as looking at wanting more right shooting forwards, and as much as Der-Arguchintsev isn't NHL ready yet, he could be in a few years time. The Flames see this as a change of scenery trade for Kylington who was placed on waivers earlier this season, so doesn't have much trade value at the moment.
    Retained Salary Transactions
    Buried
    DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
    2021
    Logo of the TOR
    Logo of the TOR
    Logo of the TOR
    Logo of the VGK
    2022
    Logo of the TOR
    Logo of the VAN
    Logo of the ARI
    Logo of the TOR
    2023
    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
    20$81,500,000$81,194,783$0$0$305,217

    Roster

    Left WingCentreRight Wing
    $1,075,000$1,075,000
    LW, RW
    UFA - 1
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $11,640,250$11,640,250
    C
    UFA - 3
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $6,962,366$6,962,366
    RW
    UFA - 3
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $1,075,000$1,075,000
    LW, C, RW
    UFA - 1
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $11,000,000$11,000,000
    C, LW
    NMC
    UFA - 4
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $10,903,000$10,903,000
    RW
    UFA - 4
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $1,645,000$1,645,000
    LW, RW
    UFA - 1
    Logo of the Arizona Coyotes
    $4,450,000$4,450,000
    C
    UFA - 4
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $5,250,000$5,250,000
    RW, LW
    UFA - 7
    Logo of the Vegas Golden Knights
    $1,400,000$1,400,000
    LW
    UFA - 3
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $725,000$725,000
    C
    UFA - 1
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $750,000$750,000
    C, RW
    UFA - 1
    Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $5,000,000$5,000,000
    LD
    NMC
    UFA - 1
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $5,000,000$5,000,000
    LD/RD
    NTC
    UFA - 3
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $1,650,000$1,650,000
    G
    UFA - 1
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $5,625,000$5,625,000
    LD
    NTC
    UFA - 3
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $2,000,000$2,000,000
    RD
    M-NTC
    UFA - 2
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $894,167$894,167
    LD
    UFA - 1
    Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
    $1,175,000$1,175,000
    RD
    UFA - 3
    $1,650,000$1,650,000
    G
    UFA - 2

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    Jun. 11, 2021 at 6:39 p.m.
    #26
    TopDawgReese
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    Quoting: Sean4417
    Thats not how contracts can be structured! Front heavy contracts like that are not allowed


    Have you seen Matthews, Marners and Tavares contract. They're allowed lmao.
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 6:39 p.m.
    #27
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    Quoting: Sean4417
    Thats not how contracts can be structured! Front heavy contracts like that are not allowed


    I don't remember the exact percentage, but as long as the final 2 years or so don't drop below something like 10-20% of the total value of the contract, the contract is allowed to be front loaded with signing bonuses
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 6:44 p.m.
    #28
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    Quoting: TrueCanuck
    I'll take a Vegas' fan opinion that likely follows and knows more about the team than a Flames fan any day. So we can put that one to rest.

    Also, in what world in Dvorak a top 6 centre? IF that's you're argument then you might wanna re-evaluate what you know about Dvorak because he's definitely not a top 6 centre. Your opinions can't seem to be more off today.


    Thats fine, you can take the Vegas fan's opinion, @Theozler do you do this trade?

    The fact you think Dvorak isn't at least a 2C really says a lot. He is a very good player and probably close to on par with Nylander
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 6:45 p.m.
    #29
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    Quoting: Sean4417
    Thats not how contracts can be structured! Front heavy contracts like that are not allowed


    from the CBA itself:

    For all "Front-Loaded SPCs" (as defined below), the difference between the stated Player Salary and Bonuses in any immediately adjacent League Years of that SPC cannot exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the stated Player Salary and Bonuses of the first League Year of such Front-Loaded SPC. Additionally, under no circumstances may the stated Player Salary and Bonuses in any League Year of a Front-Loaded SPC be less than sixty (60) percent of the highest stated Player Salary and Bonuses in a League Year of that same Front-Loaded SPC.
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 6:49 p.m.
    #30
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    Quoting: Ledge_And_Dairy
    Thats fine, you can take the Vegas fan's opinion, @Theozler do you do this trade?

    The fact you think Dvorak isn't at least a 2C really says a lot. He is a very good player and probably close to on par with Nylander


    LOL... "on par with Nylander"... just made my day with that comment and shows how little you know. If he's"on par with Nylander, why's his career high in points only 38 points? Nylander has more in every season he's played (even the season where he didn't start till late because of his contract, he had 0.50 ppg and everyone said he was awful that season, still on pace for more than 38 points though)... that is honestly the worst take I've ever read! tears of joy tears of joy

    Welcome to the ignored list. Goodbye.
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 6:52 p.m.
    #31
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    Quoting: MauriceArthur15
    Bud we are 4 years removed from that draft. One was a top 6 pick that can be a solid 3rd line centre. Like look at the centres you missed out on. Necas, Suzuki (whom you traded), Chytil, Norris and Robert Thomas.

    FYI Sandin was picked at 29th and played his 1st season. There's a reason why he's gonna be a top pairing Defenceman in this league


    What? I didn't trade anyone lol.
    Also Glass still has immense potential, this was pretty much his rookie too since he was sidelined due to injury last year. Pick order means nothing, no idea why you are brining that up.
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 6:52 p.m.
    #32
    InLouWeTrust
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    Quoting: Ledge_And_Dairy
    Kerfoot doesn't do anything for Vegas, he would probably be their 4C next year if at all. Arizona doesn't consider that


    Kerfoot can play Left Wing on the 3rd line for VGK. Just did so with Nylander on the 2nd line and played well there.
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 6:55 p.m.
    #33
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    Quoting: FredrickGoat
    Kerfoot can play Left Wing on the 3rd line for VGK. Just did so with Nylander on the 2nd line and played well there.


    Kerfoot can play 3LW, 3C, 3RW, 2LW, 2C, 2RW and still be affective. He can even be the centre on a top line and produce like he did with Nylander when Matthews and Marner didn't (not saying that Kerfoot line was a 1st line, but they clearly performed better). He's proved that this season. But I guess to some people players that can play anywhere in the top 9 are useless.
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 7:05 p.m.
    #34
    TopDawgReese
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    Quoting: Ledge_And_Dairy
    What? I didn't trade anyone lol.
    Also Glass still has immense potential, this was pretty much his rookie too since he was sidelined due to injury last year. Pick order means nothing, no idea why you are brining that up.


    So does Nolan Patrick. it doesn't mean anything if you can't put it together which he hasn't.
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 7:10 p.m.
    #35
    The 1 True GM
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    Quoting: TrueCanuck
    from the CBA itself:

    For all "Front-Loaded SPCs" (as defined below), the difference between the stated Player Salary and Bonuses in any immediately adjacent League Years of that SPC cannot exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the stated Player Salary and Bonuses of the first League Year of such Front-Loaded SPC. Additionally, under no circumstances may the stated Player Salary and Bonuses in any League Year of a Front-Loaded SPC be less than sixty (60) percent of the highest stated Player Salary and Bonuses in a League Year of that same Front-Loaded SPC.


    So you just gave proof to what I wrote. the final years cant be peanuts like was proposed by this guy.
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 7:11 p.m.
    #36
    The 1 True GM
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    Quoting: MauriceArthur15
    Have you seen Matthews, Marners and Tavares contract. They're allowed lmao.


    Have you actually seen their contract breakdowns and compared it to what this guy proposed???? Apparently not!
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 7:17 p.m.
    #37
    TopDawgReese
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    Quoting: Sean4417
    Have you actually seen their contract breakdowns and compared it to what this guy proposed???? Apparently not!


    Well' it not my expertise that's Brandon Pridham's. They can still front load it for Hyman lol it holds value.
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 7:54 p.m.
    #38
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    Quoting: VGKNation702
    Vgk would most likely accept this trade. Valuable depth. Can’t see a reason why we wouldn’t with the emergence of Kolesar


    Las Vegas has 13 forwards, 6 defensemen and 2 goalies under contract for 2021-2022 aggregating $78.2 million in cap (and all of those players have contributed to this year's success). Even if you fill the remaining two slots with ELCs, that brings you to about $80 million. This transaction increases your cap by $2.1 million. And you're not going to want to give playing time to Kerfoot as Glass' expense.

    I like your team the way it is. I'm worried that you won't be able to bring Alec Martinez, one of my favorite players from the glory days, back. (He's not included in the above calculations.)
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 8:00 p.m.
    #39
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    Quoting: OldNYIfan
    Las Vegas has 13 forwards, 6 defensemen and 2 goalies under contract for 2021-2022 aggregating $78.2 million in cap (and all of those players have contributed to this year's success). Even if you fill the remaining two slots with ELCs, that brings you to about $80 million. This transaction increases your cap by $2.1 million. And you're not going to want to give playing time to Kerfoot as Glass' expense.

    I like your team the way it is. I'm worried that you won't be able to bring Alec Martinez, one of my favorite players from the glory days, back. (He's not included in the above calculations.)


    Martinez is likely gone as is. There's no cap space for him without moving someone off the roster who makes a decent chunk of money. With the emergence of Nic Hague, Martinez is expendable anyways.

    a Vegas lineup of:

    Pacioretty - Karlsson - Stone
    Marchessault - Kerfoot - Smith
    Stephenson - Roy - Tuch
    Krebs - Glass - Reaves

    Theodore - Pietrangelo
    McNabb - Whitecloud
    Hague - Holden

    Lehner
    Fleury

    in any way you wanna line them up is still pretty strong. Keep in mind that Fleury or Lehner are likely moved this off-season so it frees up even more cap space too. It's really not a difficult situation to fit Kerfoot in at all.
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 8:28 p.m.
    #40
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    Quoting: TrueCanuck
    Martinez is likely gone as is. There's no cap space for him without moving someone off the roster who makes a decent chunk of money. With the emergence of Nic Hague, Martinez is expendable anyways.

    a Vegas lineup of:

    Pacioretty - Karlsson - Stone
    Marchessault - Kerfoot - Smith
    Stephenson - Roy - Tuch
    Krebs - Glass - Reaves

    Theodore - Pietrangelo
    McNabb - Whitecloud
    Hague - Holden

    Lehner
    Fleury

    in any way you wanna line them up is still pretty strong. Keep in mind that Fleury or Lehner are likely moved this off-season so it frees up even more cap space too. It's really not a difficult situation to fit Kerfoot in at all.


    Carrier, Nosek and Kolesar (whom you've left off the roster above because you don't have the cap room for them) aggregate Kerfoot's cap hit, and the team is better.

    Kerfoot is $3.5 million expansion-draft-fodder.

    And if Las Vegas makes adjustments to fit someone in, it will be for Martinez, not Kerfoot, since their respective cap hits will be almost equivalent.
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 9:04 p.m.
    #41
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    Quoting: OldNYIfan
    Carrier, Nosek and Kolesar (whom you've left off the roster above because you don't have the cap room for them) aggregate Kerfoot's cap hit, and the team is better.

    Kerfoot is $3.5 million expansion-draft-fodder.

    And if Las Vegas makes adjustments to fit someone in, it will be for Martinez, not Kerfoot, since their respective cap hits will be almost equivalent.


    Carrier was involved in the Kerfoot deal, that's why he was left off. Nosek is a UFA, that's why he was left off. & that roster that I listed still has room for Kolesar. So that doesn't make much sense. Plus again it's likely that Fleury or Lehner are to be moved this off-season too so there's space available
    Jun. 11, 2021 at 10:10 p.m.
    #42
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    Quoting: TrueCanuck
    Carrier was involved in the Kerfoot deal, that's why he was left off. Nosek is a UFA, that's why he was left off. & that roster that I listed still has room for Kolesar. So that doesn't make much sense. Plus again it's likely that Fleury or Lehner are to be moved this off-season too so there's space available


    The"whom" referred only to Kolesar. You're still missing the point. For the price of Kerfoot, Las Vegas could have three members of their current team. And it's easy to wave the magic wand and say that one of Fleury or Lehner can be moved, but why should that be done just to accommodate this trade of third- and fourth-liners? Because like it or not, Kerfoot isn't a second-line center on any legitimate team in the NHL, never mind a serious Stanley Cup contender. And no one can argue that moving Chandler Stephenson down to the third line in favor of putting Kerfoot at #2C is an upgrade.

    Look, we all know why you want so badly for your home team to make this trade, and why you're trying so hard to rationalize it: your guys get $2.1 million in cap relief, a useful proven fourth-liner, and two draft picks, all in return for a surplus forward who would otherwise be going to Seattle for free (IF the Kraken want him). But that's a terrible exchange for Las Vegas, even if it involves only bottom-six players.

    I think that Las Vegas would wait until after the free agency period begins (and perhaps well into the off-season) in order to see how the rest of their roster (including the four significant free agents and Martinez) shapes up before making any decisions like this. What's the urgency for them? They might even be able to buy Kerfoot from Seattle for that third-round draft pick shown here.

    On the other hand, if Kerfoot is the hot candidate for #2C that you say he is, maybe Boston will be calling about him to replace David Krecji.
    Jun. 12, 2021 at 3:11 a.m.
    #43
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    Quoting: Ledge_And_Dairy
    Thats fine, you can take the Vegas fan's opinion, Theozler do you do this trade?

    The fact you think Dvorak isn't at least a 2C really says a lot. He is a very good player and probably close to on par with Nylander

    I’d probably go no, I think kerfoot is not really a need for Vegas as they’re set at c with the sort of role kerfoot would fill and a player like carrier has fit in nicely in their bottom six. Better off saving the money. If Vegas makes a move for a c It’d likely be a true superstar not more of the same.
    Ledge_And_Dairy and OldNYIfan liked this.
     
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