After their newest playoff loss, Toronto Maple Leafs followers ought to count on some modifications this offseason. Not solely is Toronto’s administration anticipated to shake issues up, however some key core members will likely be free brokers on July 1.
After a brutal 6-1 Recreation 7 loss to the Florida Panthers (their seventh Recreation 7 loss in a row), the Maple Leafs had been booed off the ice as they saluted their residence crowd.
Now, basic supervisor Brad Treliving will likely be tasked with fixing a group that can not seem to recover from the hump. Particularly, he’ll probably see a breakup of Toronto’s so-called “core 4” of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares.
Each Tavares and Marner are unrestricted free brokers (UFA); ahead Matthew Knies, an up-and-coming star, is a restricted free agent (RFA) and, whereas nonetheless underneath group management, will want a brand new deal as nicely.
Though the Maple Leafs have slightly below $27 million in cap house going into the offseason, they solely have seven forwards underneath contract. Simply two of them, Matthews and Nylander, featured within the group’s high six throughout Recreation 7.
Along with Marner, Tavares and Knies, Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz will likely be UFAs, and Nick Robertson and Pontus Holmberg are RFAs. With so many gamers to signal, $27 million abruptly appears small.
After a 102-point season (fifth within the NHL), Marner will probably see a quantity much like Mikko Rantanen’s $12 million new contract with the Dallas Stars. Knies, who scored 29 objectives in his second full season, may see upwards of $8 million yearly. Tavares is a little bit of a wildcard; he put up 38 objectives and 74 factors in 75 video games this season, however will likely be 35 when the season begins and could also be prepared to take a hometown low cost.
Regardless, it is unlikely that every one three will likely be Maple Leafs subsequent season. Though Knies could be offer-sheeted, Toronto will probably match any such deal. Tavares additionally appears to be like prone to keep, reiterating his need to stay in Toronto to the media:
That leaves Marner. Given his contract wants and the harassment he is reportedly confronted from followers, it appears all however sure that he is performed his final recreation in a Leaf sweater.
Thus, the period of the Core 4 has seemingly come to a disappointing finish. Though Toronto hasn’t missed the playoffs since drafting Auston Matthews, they’ve solely made it previous the primary spherical twice in 9 seasons and by no means made it additional than spherical two.
Regardless of having arguably their greatest roster but, together with the defensive-minded additions of coach Craig Berube, defenseman Chris Tanev, defenseman Brandon Carlo, two-way heart Scott Laughton and goaltender Anthony Stolarz, they nonetheless could not get it completed.
The Maple Leafs will enter a brand new period, however it stays to be seen if they will break their 58-year Cup-less streak.
