What Needs to Happen

Équipe: 2018-19 Maple Leafs de Toronto

Date de création initiale: 19 oct. 2017

Publié: 19 oct. 2017

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

It pains me to let JVR and Bozak walk, but with Matthews and Marner both needing contracts the next year I was forced to not resign the two long time Leafs.

I used Ehlers (6 million) as a comparable when I signed Nylander and I feel like paying Nylander anything above 6.85 million would be hurtful to the Leafs long-term success.

Letestu comes in on a cheap 2 year deal to serve as the 4th line center, the reason I signed him was to keep Aaltonen on the wing since he's a rookie. Vermette comes in on a cheap 1 year deal that will expire just as Matthews and Marner can be signed, he'd serve as that seasons replacement of Bozak. Kapanen and Aaltonen are the only other additions on the front, as both should be full timer NHLers by next season.

The top line was left untouched by myself. Brown eases the pain of loosing JVR as he should be poised for a breakout by this time, while playing with Kadri and Marner. Kadri centers the second line as it is he that needs to step into a bigger roll with the departure of Bozak. Then the bottom six consists of: Marleau/Vermette/Kapanen and Martin/Letestu/Aaltonen.

On defense I kept Gardiner and Zaitsev together, while giving Rielly Liljegren to play with. The key to fixing Toronto's defense is to find a suitable partner for Rielly, it is my hope Liljegren can fill in the hole left on Rielly's side. Then on the third pairing Hainsey will split time between the likes of: Dermott, Rosen, and Borgman (whoever is playing better).

Finally, Andersen obviously remains starter, while Pickard is given an extension. I am confident Pickard still has potential and can become the backup Toronto desperately needs.