The NHL’s modern era of cap management is evolving—fast. With key provisions of the new collective bargaining agreement taking effect as soon as the 2025–26 season (not just 2026–27), smart teams must now adapt on the fly. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, that might mean reimagining the role of their American Hockey League (AHL) Toronto Marlies.
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For the past 10–15 years, the Maple Leafs have leaned on the Marlies as a steady feeder system. Most of their young guys cut their teeth there before making the jump, and the farm team’s been a reliable way to break players into all the nuances that shaped the NHL game – pace, system, and team philosophy. While that function still exists, the CBA could also make it become more than just a development squad; it could become a dynamic, strategic holding tank for NHL-ready players.
The Playoff Salary Cap: What’s Changed and Why It Matters
The NHL and NHLPA agreed in June 2025 on a new CBA, effective in full starting in the 2026–27 season. But they’ve fast-tracked several key components—including the playoff salary cap—for immediate use in 2025–26. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed teams must submit a cap-compliant, 20-man roster for each playoff game, ending the era when Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) magic let teams exceed the regular-season cap.
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How that changes life for NHL general managers is still (sort of) up in the air. In practical terms, that means no more swooping in at the deadline with big additions under the guise of injured stars returning in May. The era of the “almost-cap-compliant contender” exploiting LTIR is ending—immediately. That new guardrail reshapes the trade market and roster strategy.
Why Kämpf, Järnkrok & Others Just Became Harder to Trade
There’s been some chatter that the Maple Leafs would like to trim their salary cap by moving players like David Kämpf and Calle Järnkrok. Both are serviceable depth forwards, but they are replaceable. However, these players now represent a tougher trade proposition. Previously, a team with cap wiggle room could absorb them and spin them up as bottom-six reinforcements. Now, teams must count them fully against the salary cap, which would likely sour the trade market and reduce return value.
(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Therefore, trying to trade these players for mid-round picks or similar may not be realistic. At best, Toronto might be forced to accept late-round pick compensation—or put them on waivers, hoping they would be claimed. If they were, the salary cap issue would be solved, but nothing at all would come back in return.
The Marlies as a Strategic Depth Pipeline
Here’s where the Marlies could become increasingly important. Instead of clearing salary utilizing low-value trades, why not use the Marlies as an internal workaround? If the Maple Leafs placed both Kämpf and Järnkrok on waivers, they could lose them. However, if they did pass through waivers and were moved to the Marlies, they would continue to earn their regular salary and play there. They could stay game-ready in case of an injury.
The system isn’t perfect, however. If the Maple Leafs were able to send both Järnkrok and Kämpf to the Marlies after clearing waivers, they’d still have to carry part of their salaries. Kämpf would still hit the books for about $1.18 million, and Järnkrok for about $875,000. Still, the Maple Leafs could save more than half of each player’s cap hit. Moreover, moving the players down on waivers is cheaper than buying out their contracts.
Keeping the Maple Leafs’ Depth Close
Some players just quietly make a team better, and that’s exactly what guys like Kämpf and Järnkrok do. Kämpf brings reliability and experience, and Järnkrok can slide anywhere in the lineup without causing headaches. They’re not flashy, but both offer steady veteran presence, and if they clear waivers, the Maple Leafs get to keep them in the system rather than losing them for a low-return trade.
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Beyond just having them around, there’s the added benefit of flexibility. When injuries hit, the big club can call up someone from the Marlies—cap hit included—but with confidence, they know how the player will fit into the system. It’s a tidy way to hold onto depth, stay cap-compliant, and keep things running smoothly, all while maintaining organizational continuity. This isn’t just theory—it’s smart roster strategy in the new, tighter CBA world.
The New CBA’s Broader Implications Across the NHL
Toronto isn’t alone in this calculus. Every team must now consider whether to hold onto depth players internally or be forced into low-value transactions. The Marlies could become a model for how affiliates across the NHL are viewed: not just development hubs, but cap-compliant asset reserves.
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The securer new CBA landscape nudges teams to rethink everything about roster management. For the Maple Leafs, that could mean seeing the Marlies as a strategic buffer—a AAA-level support squad that preserves value while delivering performance when crunch time comes. It’s a subtle shift, but a meaningful one—and timely enough to shape the narrative before training camp even dawns.
