Maple Leafs likely to move forward to resolve cap issues – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs face a major roster decision as they work to meet salary cap limits. The Athletic’s James Mirtle looked at the many options the Leafs could have to alleviate some of the pressure on the team and concluded that signs point to a forward being moved.

Mirtle currently has 28 players on the roster and is still feeling the effects of the previous cap mismanagement. Mirtle suggested that Calle Jarnkrok’s return creates the need to make a move. He writes: “At this point an attacker will have to leave.” He then points to Pontus Holmberg, David Kampf and Nicholas Robertson as the most likely candidates.

Who could the Maple Leafs pick to move?

Mirtle outlined reasons for trading one of the three. With Holmberg, the attacker has made crucial mistakes despite head coach Craig Berube’s many opportunities. He only makes $800,000 and could potentially obtain waivers, but that’s not guaranteed. In the meantime, Robertson has already requested a move. He has one point in 11 games and the trade return could be the highest if he is shipped out.

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In addition to a forward, the Leafs could also look to move a defenseman. They already traded Timothy Liljegren, but the player they got in return could follow him out the door. The acquisition of Matt Benning from the San Jose Sharks added another cap hit to the roster and the Leafs don’t really plan on keeping that contract on the books. Benning’s $1.25 million is already being shopped.

Is Kampf most likely to be shopped?

Of the four players mentioned – three forwards and one defense – Mirtle suggested Kampf might be the most interesting of the three names. He assumes it would be a salary cap dump trade and the returns wouldn’t be great, but he also claims that’s not a problem.

He writes:

By far the most convincing scenario here is Kämpf. Flipping Holmberg or Robertson for a pick opens up plenty of room for Järnkrok to come back and puts the Leafs about $1 million under the cap, enough breathing room that they can make another depth addition at some point. But if the Leafs can find a home for Kämpf, even if not much of it comes back, they will be dramatically under the cap (to the tune of almost $2.6 million) and still have decent depth outside of their top 12 forwards and top players. six defenders.

source – “Are more trades coming as the Maple Leafs try to get under the salary cap?” – James Mirtle – The Athletic – 11/05/2024

The Maple Leafs may want to build salary cap space

It’s one thing to get under the salary cap ceiling. It’s another thing to start building cap space when you’re way below it. The calculations are made every day, but Mirtle estimates that the Maple Leafs could have well over $5 million at their disposal at the NHL trade deadline if they choose the option to move Kampf.

That would allow them to assess the season and then make moves as a buyer when more players, potentially difference makers, become available. The Leafs don’t know yet if they are headed to the postseason, but they believe they are good enough to get there and are confident they will look to add and not sell as the deadline approaches. Every cent counts when the team starts talking to salespeople.