Team: 2023-24 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 5, 2023

Published: Mar. 6, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

If I'm being completely honest, I don't really know where I stand with how the deadline played out. Sure, we got better with the additions, but I also believe that we still didn't improve enough when it comes to depth scoring. It seems like we're going to be running into the playoffs expecting Knies to be playing a significant roll on the third line, and I don't think it's the greatest idea, especially considering we likely have to go through Vasilevskiy, Ullmark, and then Shesterkin just to make the finals. The Leafs are fifth in the Atlantic in goals for, which says a lot when they have the talent they do.

Here are the main things of this ACGM:

- Bunting is a good vibe guy/supporting role, but he really shouldn't be making a boatload considering his minutes, skillset, and who he plays with. 8 years $25M total sounds like a fair deal for both sides.
- Signing ROR for one year so that he gets one last year making big-ish money, but after we resign Matthews, Nylander, Liljegrin, etc. he takes a pay cut.
- Crouse is a guy that I think would fit in well with this group, but it would take a lot to get him. Would be done around the draft.
- This top 9 would be a nightmare to match up against, and the 4th line would also be a pain in the behind, plus they're all good defensively.
- McCabe/Brodie make a very good shutdown pair that eats minutes, Rielly/Liljegrin would be great offensively and get sheltered sheltered minutes in their own end.
- Gio/Timmins concern me in the sense that they're both not that fast, but they could work well together.
- Timmins takes over the top PP unit with his great shot, Rielly/Liljegrin take the 2nd unit to balance the distribution and hopefully prevent shorthanded goals against.
- Goaltending is an iffy one, purely because Samsonov often lets soft ones get through but also makes some great saves. Woll plays a very large, steady game, which I think compliments Samsonov perfectly. We'll see what they decide to do with Murray, but I think they should just play it safe with Sammy/Woll as the tandem of the future. I just put him on LTIR because I have no clue what would happen with him.
- I'd expect that Schenn re-signs, even if it's just in a depth roll. In terms of the other scratches, Kokkonen is someone who I think can take over for Gio after next year, so getting him some experience wouldn't hurt. Steeves has also been itching for time in the NHL, so put him on the roster to start out.

All in all, this addresses depth scoring, but also keeps in mind their main focus of being physical and responsible in their own end. Thanks for reading this rant if you got this far.