Maple Leafs mailbag
Kevin McGrann of The Toronto Star: (mailbag) The Toronto Maple Leafs will likely have to use Nathan Horton‘s LTIR status this season with all the RFAs they need to re-sign. They may not need the entire $5.3 million, but likely a portion.
Can see the Maple Leafs bringing defenseman Ron Hainsey back at a reduced rate.
Can see the Maple Leafs being able to retain William Nylander, Andreas Johnsson, Kasperi Kapanen and Mitch Marner. It will likely mean that they’ll need to trade Nazem Kadri, Connor Brown, or convince Patrick Marleau to waive his no-movement clause. Putting Zach Hyman and Travis Dermott on the LTIR at the start of their season will also likely happen.
If the Maple Leafs traded Kadri they would likely be looking for the salary cap space so would be looking for prospects and draft picks. If looking for roster players, would likely look at a cheap defenseman.
One down, several more to go for the Islanders
Brett Cyrgalis of the NY Post: The New York Islanders locked up one of their big UFAs last week by signing Brock Nelson to a six-year, $36 million deal. The Islanders are not deep down the middle and after UFAs Matt Duchene and Kevin Hayes, there isn’t much.
Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello may not want to go more than four years for the soon to be 29-year old Anders Lee. Lee could be looking for a seven-year deal. Both sides think around $7 million would work, but term has been the issue during their in-season talks.
The Minnesota Wild may be interested in Minnesota native Lee if he hits the open market.
Artemi Panarin could interest the Islanders. Lamoriello likely isn’t interested in giving Jeff Skinner the type of deal he’ll likely get on the open market.
Jordan Eberle might get a deal similar to his expiring contract – six-years at $6 million per. It may be better off letting Eberle test the market and see what happens.
Goaltender Robin Lehner has some comfort with the Islanders. Around $5 million a season for anything less than five years would make sense for both sides.