It's no secret that the Leafs are going to have a ton of money locked up in their core group next season. Much is being made of this fact, but in reality we have actually got quite a bit of cap space to work with. As long as the Leafs front office is smart with their spending and priorities, this team could easily take steps forward even with ~55 mil being spent on the core 5.
First, I want to touch briefly on the trades. I have put my reasoning in the additional details so I won't go too in depth, but I want to touch on why I think Timmins is a prime trade candidate. To put it simply, he is a Dubas guy. It's clear that Treliving wants a beefier roster with defensively capable puck movers on the back end and all offense forwards up front. Timmins, despite being one of my favourite Leafs, just doesn't fit that archetype. I personally dont think that we should move on from him, but he is not being utilized in Keefe's system and is not trusted enough in his own end. I think he's going to get moved for peanuts.
Now onto the construction of the forward group. Both Steeves and Holmberg lose their waiver exemptions next season, so the Leafs will have to make a decision on them. Steeves is an excellent young player and has done everything he can for the Marlies. It's time to start giving him NHL minutes. The same can be said about Holmberg, minus the "needing NHL minutes" because he is already getting them. Hell, Keefe preferred Holmberg to Robertson. I think he is a lock to make this team next season, and he will likely sub in as 4C to start. Now for the new additions. Nick Cousins was a guy I really wanted before he went to Florida. He's a very useful bottom 6 player with some grit. He'd make a great Leaf. Chandler Stephenson would be a tremendous addition to this Leafs team, and he would be the perfect 2C replacement with Tavares' production slowing as of late. He acts as the perfect stop gap between Tavares and Minten, and he plays a game that I personally really like. Frederik Olofsson is the only other new addition at forward here, and I really like the idea of bringing him in for depth.
Time for the blue line. I know that Chris Tanev has been the apple of Treliving's eye for a little while now, but I'd personally prefer to see the Leafs get younger. If he is willing to take a pretty significant discount, then by all means sign him, but I really don't want to see the Leafs dish out a significant amount of money to a guy on the wrong side of 30. Another guy Leafs fans have been clambering about for a while now is Noah Hanifin (who I think would definitely be a fantastic target), but I just can't see the Leafs being active buyers at the TDL (we will probably just make a few minor moves) and I don't think we would be dishing out that kind of money this offseason on a long term deal. Instead, I proposed adding Walker and Roy, as well as signing Punnett. Connor Punnett is an absolute beast and brings an element to this blue line that we have been severely lacking. He hits like a truck, has an excellent shot from the point, and moves pretty well. The success that Benoit has found under Keefe gives me a lot of hope for Punnett. If we don't land Punnett, then I'd just give Rifai the call. I'd love to see him get a good look with the Leafs, and he could rotate with Gio. Walker is a guy who I could see the Leafs making an effort for at the TDL, and an extension isn't too hard to fit. We know Treliving wants to add some offense to the backend (see Klingberg), and Walker does exactly that without being a complete defensive liability. I really like him as a target. Roy is another guy who I'd like to see the Leafs add, I think he'd round out theblue line nicely. Should be able to get him on a TJ Brodie contract (similar age, playstyle, success in contract year), and LA will probably let him walk with their logjam at RD. I also really want to see Liljegren get a semi-long term extension, he has been excellent this season.
As for our backup goalie, there really aren't a ton of interesting options out on the Free Agent market. Any one of Lankinen, Kahkonen, or Talbot would do. Here I chose Talbot because he has been really good in LA and could be a nice veteran mentor for Woll. Hildeby could also pinch in
The Hurricanes move on from Montgomery who has no real future in Carolina with guys like Nikishin and Morrow in the system. Montgomery is a big body defensive defenseman who moves well, but isn't a surefire NHL player. More of a salary move for the Leafs who don't intend on utilizing Timmins by the looks of it
Carolina adds a young, cheap, high upside RHD for next to nothing due to Toronto's want for a move defensively sound, physical blue line. Timmins would breakout big time in Carolina
Walker is an offensive defenceman eh? His career high of 24 points in a season definitely shouts offence. He's also small, not physical and is turning 30. He's another bottom pair defenceman. And if you want offence from the Blueline. Timmins is exactly that.
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