Team: 2022-23 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Oct. 9, 2022

Published: Oct. 9, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

EDIT: Gaudette, Mete, Simmonds, Clifford on Waivers.. Malgin IN
Leafs should avoid losing players off waivers if they don't have to. By putting Lily and Benn on LTIR (I'm not exactly sure how LTIR works but I know the more you can use of it the more it accrues?) This gets them within 70K of the cap (assuming ZAR is signed to 850K, could be +/- that number) I assume Benn wouldn't get claimed on waivers once healthy and can be sent down to the minors. I really liked Robertson but he's waivers exempt and can be called up down the line, Malgin is already placed on Marlies roster and can be an emergency call up throughout the season. This saves them from losing Gaudette for no reason. Injuries are a part of hockey and much like in years past they might be able to get through a portion of the season before having to lose anyone on waivers (they will have seen more play and can make a better evaluation at a later date. Alternatively they could waive Gaudette and use one of Robertson or Malgin on that second line and hope he doesn't get claimed.)

There is a scenario where Tavares might not be able to play game one, or multiple games. Would it be possible to bench a 19 man roster, put Tavares on IR and use an emergency call up for someone after one game? OR is there a minimum roster # you must start the season with? An interesting idea to get some more looks for other guys if legal. This whole idea is based on a 20 man roster, very tight as it has been in past years. I think they want to keep as many guys around as possible and minimize losses to waivers (Leafs most claimed team over the years by a mile).

Will Engvall be able to start game 1?
What will it take to activate Lily once healthy?
Will there be a trade we don't expect? Justin Holl and make all the cap frustration go away? (not sure if it's smart to trade only health RHD. But who sits when Lily is back?
I think it's smart to keep as many Dman as possible.
Will there be another injury that allows them to stay afloat for a little longer with LTIR use?
Could they wait to sign ZAR and use Robertson 2LW and Gaudette 4LW? with Robertson being Waivers Exempt ( I don't think it's smart not to sign him)
Random thought and I'm not sure how SOIR works but is there an opportunity for cap relief from placing Joseph Woll on SOIR?
Should be interesting. This also assumes waiving Simmonds (900K) , Clifford (762.5K).
I assume some minor league contracts might be moved to open up contract space for future signings (Knies, Deadline deal etc.) unless someone gets claimed off waivers.
Let me know what you think about this and if you have any ideas