According to Capgeek.com, the Leafs have $1.84 million dollars in cap space currently available. This puts the team in a hard position if their goal is to improve the current roster. Furthermore, the Leafs need to re-sign Franson, Kadri and Bernier for next season and the only contracts coming off the books after this year are guys like Santorelli and Winnik – guys who make near the minimum and have to be re-upped or replaced with similar players at similar deals regardless.
What this means is that from a team building perspective, the Leafs have to move out some of their current players and restructure their payroll so that they don’t end up losing what are arguably, outside Kessel and Rielly, the three most important players on the team going forward.
Here then, is a list of players the Leafs almost have to trade.
1. James Reimer
$2.3 million for a back-up is unacceptable. If the Leafs want to consider paying Bernier like an elite goalie, it makes sense that they would want to see how he does when playing 60+ games. If I am the Leafs, getting Bernier that many games is one of my priorities this season because I really need to be comfortable with the five year $30 million dollar deal he is (at the very least ) going to want after this season and knowing he can play near elite level for 60 games is essential to learning if that is an acceptable contract to offer.
Trading Reimer also accomplishes the task of showing you have confidence in Bernier, stops him from looking over his shoulder after every bad game, and clears up cap-space. At this point it’s a no brainer to move Reimer.
In fact, just to save the money he’s owed, I’d waive him if a deal wasn’t available after calling all 29 other teams.
2. Tyler Bozak
There was a time when I was sold on the point production and argued earnestly that he was one of the most underrated players in the NHL. But then I spent an entire week trying to understand the other side of the argument – that he is riding the coattails of two elite wingers, that Kadri actually produces more when paired with them, that they do better away from Bozak, that other players playing with him do worse than they do with Kadri, that faceoffs aren’t nearly as important as once thought, that Bozak is actually – statistically – bad at defense etc. etc. etc.
Basically, while trying to understand why my opinions of Bozak weren’t universally agreed upon, I came to buy into the argument that he is actually not very good. Clearly the old eye-test shows that Kadri is a better skater, stick-handler, passer and shooter, the stats show it definitively and the only one who doesn’t seem to care is Randy Carlyle.
By trading Bozak the Leafs save $4 million next year, which is money that when added to the $3.3 Franson currently makes,will be enough to re-sign the defenseman to the long-term contract the Leafs would be foolish not to sign him to. It also does an end-around on the coach who knows he is fired after this season and seems to be stubbornly sticking to something nearly everyone around him knows is wrong.
Also consider that you can move Kadri up to the Kessel line, partner JVR with Holland and instantly be a better team. The argument for splitting up the teams two best wingers makes itself, and it’s unfathomable that they continue to be paired together.
3. Joffrey Lupul
Rumours have been circulating for weeks that the Leafs are interested in trading Lupul, and it makes sense that they would be. He is singed for three more years after this one at $5.3 million. He is a great player and one of my favorites of the last few years, but with Nylander coming, Kadri or Holland capable of moving over to the wing (if a better centre is acquired) and the likes of Carter, Panik or Kozun really untested in a top six roll but potentially capable, the Leafs would be smart to get his contract off the books.
Trading Lupul won’t be as hard as some people think. He is more unlucky that he is injury prone, and when healthy he can improve the top six of virtually any team in the NHL.
4. Gardiner or Phaneuf
Let me very clear here: Gardiner is my favorite up and coming player and Dion Phaneuf is my favorite player. I want the Leafs to be successful with these two guys more than I want anything else, hockey wise.
I have, however, come to the point where I think that it’s quite obvious that Rielly, Franson, Percy are half of the future of this team’s defensive group. That means that if Gardiner and Phaneuf are also on it, only one spot remains open long term. I do not see the Leafs getting the kind of internal improvement from this group (or being patient enough to wait for it at the least) that makes that a viable option.
I still think that barring Rielly’s development into a total stud #1 all-star, the team is short that player from competing. So that means that someone needs to be acquired and someone needs to go. By trading Phanuef, the Leafs sort of rid themselves of a lot of baggage. Fair or not, he’s the lightning rod for the last four years of collapses, starting with the famous “eighteen-wheeler going over the cliff,” and culminating with the debacle that ended last season’s run to the playoffs.
It is obvious that Dion is better than his reputation among the Leafs’ fans suggests, and he has clearly been given too many jobs and responsibilities during his time in Toronto. I would like to see them win with him, but moving his $7 million when you are in a salary cap bind, combined with the fresh start that would come from his departure and comparing that to what he brings to a team vs. what you’d get back for him, moving him has to at least be on the table.
As for Gardiner, you hate to give up on him, he is probably just a new coach away from turning it around (and he was the Leafs best player for the last 20 pathetic games of last season) and it would really hurt to trade him. But, depending on the viability of moving everyone else, he also must be considered because he’d bring the biggest return of the players listed here, would be the easiest to trade and keeping him isn’t worth losing Bernier, Kadri or Franson.
To conclude, the Leafs simply can’t move through the season getting happy results and thinking their team is trending upwards. The peripheral stats just do not support that notion and a salary cap problem of epic proportions looms. The team must be proactive and make moves before they end up burning assets just to meet the requirements of the cap.
Thanks for reading.
Love this type of discussion! Funny how the people who hate the article have no suggestions on how the Leafs can possibly improve in a salary cap world next year. Reality, everyone can be traded on the Leafs, depending on the return. There’s no one, in my opinion, that’s proven that they are a fundamental piece of a championship team. Bernier and Reilly have that potential, but still potential at this point.
Leafs could have been fine, except for the ludicrous deal they gave Clarkson. They can’t get value out of that contract, and they can’t give it away. They can’t buy him out – they’d only save $500k a year, eating up $4.7m of cap space, over the next 4 years. They’re better off burying him in the minors (I think with the new CBA, they can claim up to $1m of his salary off the cap) or try to find a trade partner while eating at least half that contract ($2.5-$3m saved, if someone willing to pay the remainder).
Trading Reimer makes sense. The $’s he earns as a back-up can’t be justified in a cap-world, and it really appears that if he actually is a #1 goalie (very debatable), that he needs the games. He is not effective as a back-up… seems to be a ‘rhythm’ goalie. Doesn’t clear much as you’ll probably pay a back-up about $1m anyway, but every $ counts in cap.
As for Bozak, absolutely should be traded if for no other reason than to give Carlyle no choice but to see what the Leafs have in Kadri and Holland. Same way Billy Beane traded Carlos Pena so Hatteberg had to play 1st. The Leafs, as constructed today, are not going to win the cup. Find out what you have so you can start the wheels in motion for a team that will compete for the cup next year or the year after. There is more than enough evidence that Bozak is a liability, despite the counting stats and face-off wins. When he’s on the ice, the team gives up more goals than they score. That’s all there is to it – you can’t win giving up more goals than you score!
The unknown is how sulky Kessel gets if they trade Bozak. You’d like to think he’s professional enough to manage, but it’s clear they’re buds and it may impact Kessel’s relationship with club. If that’s the case, Leafs need to think hard about Kessel as well – kind of like keeping Josh Thole on the Jays just for Dickey when he offers absolutely nothing else. Kessel is an elite player and I’d find it hard to believe the Leafs can replace the production in any trade, but may be a case where the sum is greater than the parts…
I think Phaneuf is a fine D-man, if paired with the right player. Gunnarsson is not a #2 dman, neither are most of the players Phaneuf has had to play with. And he’s most often been on the ice with the JVR-Bozak-Kessel line who are horrendous at supporting the D in their zone. He plays the toughest minutes and deals with the worst support and still puts up reasonable numbers overall. The pairing with Franson seems to have some legs to it – we’ll see over the course of a full season. Hopefully, the lowering of minutes for the ‘#1′ line will also mean Phaneuf sees more support from his forwards and more puck control for the Leafs overall as opposed to trying to hit the guys flying out of the zone with 50’ ft passes. Trade Phaneuf, and who do they have, or have a reasonable shot of getting, that plays his minutes? The hate makes no sense given that he’s a good player, but makes even less sense given that there is no alternative! If there’s literally no one better that’s available to take that role, that has to say something about the player you’re trying to replace, doesn’t it?
Assuming Winnik and Santorelli aren’t looking for Mason Raymond money ($3m/yr) you should try to find a way to bring them back. Need to find money for Franson, Bernier, Kadri as well. Cap rumored to go up to $72-74 ($3-5m increase), but may stay the same depending on Cdn $. Something has to give to make it work.
Go Leafs Go!
Kadri had 1 point in 11 games centering Kessel and JVR last year when Bozak was hurt..He’s had plenty of chances…Good-bye!!!!
If your favourite is Phaneuf, then I probably cant agree with this article…
Who ever wrote this doesn’t even know the leafs or doesn’t watch any games or is retarded.
Like T said. Thank fuck you are not the leafs Gm
My favorite is being called an idiot by someone who thinks faceoffs are so important and that a reason to keep a player is because of his media skills. Anyone else can call me an idiot as much as they want.
I’m sorry but the minute you stated that “The pylon” was your favourite player, any credibility attached to this article flew out the window. As far as Kadri….Are you on drugs? He has had 4 years in the organization to prove himself and so far has done squat. And win a face off…ever. Yeah right. Bozak…..Amoung the top in faceoff percentage….Kills penalties and scores while doing so. More assists than goals. Put him with Komarov and Clarkson and I’m betting his stats would be better still. Gardiner…same as Kadri. Lupul….Good steady player when he is not on the IR and one of the better with the media along with Bozak and Fransen. Carlise ruined Reimer who could, and should be a starter somewhere. As far as the cap is concerned there is only one choice. Buy out the remainder of Phaneufs contract and put Van Reimsdyke on the first train out of town. Bring up Percy and lets see what he can do. Kozun in place of VanReimsdyke on the first line along with Kessel and Bozak.
Agreed whole heartedly except for lupul, leafs lack top 6 and are still one short trading lupul would be a mistake. As for bernier he won’t get more than a 3.5-4 mill a year deal he still hasn’t had a full season and has been extremely inconsistent this year. But phaneuf should be traded to Florida for picks of to Edmonton for any thing. Gardiner should only be moved for another young player. Bozak the sooner the better. Reimer is not going to be moved until bernier makes his decision bc if he wants to much probably be traded
You don’t knoe what you sre talking about. Bozak? Really?
enuf of phaneuf,BE GONE
You’re in over your head with this article.
Reimer: Yes
Bozak: No Way
Lupul: No
Gardiner: Yes
Phaneuf: No
Great article, wasn’t aware the Leafs will be in such a cap bind next season,
Thank FUCK you aren’t the GM of the Leafs.