As the opening of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ training camp looms later this month, there are big questions out there for the Original Six franchise. Here are three big questions for the Leafs in the coming weeks:
1. What Happens With Rasmus Sandin?
The only roster player still without a new contract, Sandin is a restricted free agent who is looking for a contract better than the one fellow youngster Timothy Liljegren got when he signed a two-year, $2.4 million contract in June. However, the Leafs currently are nearly $1.5 million over the salary cap ceiling, and Toronto GM Kyle Dubas has to figure out a way to retain Sandin’s services. Sandin’s growth arc hasn’t been linear, but management still believes in him and doesn’t want to deal him or have him accept an offer sheet from another franchise.
-
Ep 69: NHL Preseason, Rumors, Mike Babcock Saga
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 4:07 am
Jim and Chris are back to discuss the beginning of the NHL preseason, the […]
Dubas might choose to wait until training camp has begun before getting down to brass tacks with Sandin’s agent, and a trade of another veteran D-man – hello, Justin Holl – may eventually open up enough cap space to get Sandin in the lineup. But a long-term extension for Sandin doesn’t appear to be the most likely scenario; instead, a two-or-three-year deal could be there for Sandin.
The Leafs’ cap concerns are well-known by everyone at this point, and they’ve got to keep costs down, at least, in the short-term. Sandin knows this, but he’s now involved in a staring contest with Dubas. It’s probable the player blinks first, and Sandin stays in Blue and White.
2. How Do Toronto’s Depth Signings On ‘D’ Fit In?
After Dubas got veteran Mark Giordano to agree to a huge hometown discount this season, and after Liljegren re-signed with the Buds, Toronto’s defense corps has ample depth and competition on the back end. Whether or not Sandin returns, Dubas has used the little cap space he had left on signing a pair of veteran NHL defensemen, Jordie Benn and Victor Mete, to serve as understudies for the Leafs’ top-six group of D-men.
The 35-year-old Benn and 24-year-old Mete are at different stages in their NHL careers; Benn is now on his fifth NHL team in as many seasons, while Mete has bounced between Montreal and Ottawa in the past two seasons, and still is trying to establish himself as a full-time NHLer. It’s probable that both Benn and Mete will begin this coming season in the American League with the Toronto Marlies, but as soon as there’s an injury at the NHL level – or if, as expected, Holl is traded for cap space – we could see one of or both Benn and Mete playing on the Leafs’ third defensive pairing. Depth matters to all NHL teams, and it’s signings like this that could help sustain Toronto through a bite from the injury bug.
Around Full Press Hockey
NHL: Assessing The Philadephia Flyers’ Depth At Center And Defense
NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars
NHL: The Most Pressured Men in Maple Leafs Land This Season
NFL: Best Bets For 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year
Full Press Bets: Early 2022 NFL MVP Odds: Bills’ Josh Allen Favored
PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly: Ep 37: NHL Free Agency Recap
3. How Long Will Holl, Kerfoot Last In Toronto?
For months now, there has been speculation Dubas will have to trade one or both of Holl and forward Alex Kerfoot. It’s not unfounded speculation, considering the reality that both veterans are in the last year of their current contracts, and both Holl (at a $2.0 million salary cap hit) and Kerfoot ($3.5 million) make enough money to give the Leafs significant cap space if they dealt them.
It’s difficult to envision Kerfoot or Holl agreeing to contract extensions in the coming weeks or during the regular season, and although both veterans have modified no-trade clauses, they surely must know the writing is on the wall for them in Toronto. Dubas needs to find a trade partner that will satisfy the competitive needs of Holl and Kerfoot, and at the same time, give the Leafs the cap space they so desperately need.
Absent some injury to a key Leafs component, if both Kerfoot and Holl begin the season in Toronto, it will be a surprise to many. It’s really a question of if, not when, they part ways with the Leafs.
-
Ep 69: NHL Preseason, Rumors, Mike Babcock Saga
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 4:07 am
Jim and Chris are back to discuss the beginning of the NHL preseason, the […]
-
Ep 68: Auston Matthews Extension, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Much More
by Full Press Coverage on September 1, 2023 at 2:23 am
Jim and Chris are back to chat about the Auston Matthews extension, the […]
-
Ep 67: Karlsson Trade, Matt Dumba Signs, NHL News and Notes
by Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2023 at 2:21 am
Jim and Chris discuss the big Erik Karlsson trade to Pittsburgh, the Matt […]
-
Around the NHL: What is Going in Tampa and Toronto As Training Camps Begin
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
-
Around the NHL: Mike Babcock Resigns as Head Coach In Columbus
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 1:48 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
-
Around the NHL: From Columbus to Montreal To Calgary To Atlanta
by Full Press Coverage on September 16, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
-
Ep 86: David Krejci Announces Retirement
by Full Press Coverage on August 14, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Ian and Chris react to David Krejci's retirement. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Ep 85: Offseason Reset: Lucic, Bergeron, Krejci, and More
by Full Press Coverage on July 23, 2023 at 2:10 pm
Ian and Chris discuss the changes the Bruins have seen over the last few […]
-
S5Ep3 - Mike Babcock Out in Columbus and Steven Stamkos Drops The Hammer in Tampa
by Jim Biringer on September 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
-
S5Ep2 - What Carey Price Meant to the Montreal Canadiens
by Jim Biringer on September 19, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
-
Nashville Predators Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 25, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Hunter Logan Previews the Nashville Predators Stack the Pucks gives a […]
-
Minnesota Wild Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 4:10 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Minnesota Wild Stack the Pucks gives a […]
-
Dallas Stars Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 3:45 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Dallas Stars Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown […]
-
Episode #144: 22-23 AHL Awards Show
by Full Press Coverage on July 14, 2023 at 10:00 pm
The 2022-23 AHL season has come to a close, and what better way to […]
-
Episode #143: Dessert > Desert
by Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2023 at 5:54 pm
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah wrap up the […]
-
Full Press Canadiens - 9-22 - Bogan Konyushkov is dominating the KHL
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Josh Gosse and Jesse Poirier speak about the latest Montreal Canadiens […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-25 - Recapping the Wild’s preseason opener.
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Preseason, Daemon Hunt, injury Learn more about your ad choices. Visit […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: Representation Matters
by Charlie Saunier on September 24, 2023 at 5:01 am
ROP Special Commentary: Representation Matters Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Canadiens 9-22 - Intra-squad scrimmages
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Josh Gosse and Jesse Poirier speak about the latest Montreal Canadiens […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-22 - Recapping prospect camp and a player signing.
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Prospect camp, signing, Jujhar Khaira Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
Leafs Digest - 9-22 - Nylander MOVED to Center, Murray and Muzzin OUT for Season | Toronto Maple Leafs News and Updates
by BCM on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Zack Phillips reacts to Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach, Sheldon Keefe, […]
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointments
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talk
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teams
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointments
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
-
Ep 184: Week 3 Instant Reaction
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 12:47 am
The Green Bay Packers were in another 1-point game, this time a 18-17 win […]
-
Ep 135: 49ers Move To 3-0, NFC South Buy or Sell, Week 3 Picks/Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Ian and Braden discuss the 49ers win on Thursday Night Football, the […]
-
Ep 171: Discussing The Career Of George Kunz With Son Matt
by Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Matt Kunz, son of former Colts lineman George […]
-
Ep 183: The Sandman
by Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're diving back into the extreme and looking at the career of […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talk
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saints
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]
Trade Kerfoot. Have written as much for last year. 3.5m would pay for a lot of players incl Sandin and ZAR