On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: With the free agent center market pretty thin after John Tavares, so the Maple Leafs could consider bringing Tyler Bozak back. Last offseason the Leafs asked Joe Thornton if he’d be interested in signing with them, and they could do so again this offseason.
Some scouts believe that Miro Aaltonen will be the Leafs fourth line center next season.
Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star: Many people think that Kyle Dubas will be named as the Maple Leafs next GM. Five potential GM candidates aside from Dubas include Mark Hunter, Chuck Fletcher, Paul Fenton, Tom Fitzgerald, Mike Futa. Other names out there are Bill Guerin, Bill Zito, Kelly McCrimmon and Dean Lombardi.
Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: Kyle Dubas will likely be named the Maple Leafs next GM.
But if Dubas is going to be the guy, why not announce it right away? Was it give yesterday just to Lou Lamoriello or they want to wait until the Marlies AHL season?
If they do hire Dubas, what becomes of Mark Hunter? One source has said that Hunter would have “other options” if he’s not named GM and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he then left the organization.
Jonas Siegel of The Athletic: The Maple Leafs are eligible to sign Auston Matthews to a contract extension after July 1st.
How close will Matthews come to Connor McDavid’s $12.5 million per season?
Matthews could also wait till next summer and see if he can increase his value next year.
The Maple Leafs will also have to deal with Mitch Marner, who will be a RFA after next season.
William Nylander’s deal is up. Could he look at something in the David Pastrnak range – six years and $40 million?
The Leafs definitely need to upgrade on the right side of their blue line.
John Carlson is the obvious top choice on the free agent market, but they may not be able to fit his salary in.
On the trade market they could look at Canucks Chris Tanev again. He has two years left at $4.45 million, but has missed a good chunk of time due to injuries, only getting into 95 games total in the past two years.
Ideally, they could find a top partner for Morgan Rielly and move Hainsey and Zaitsev down.
Morgan Rielly – X
Jake Gardiner – Ron Hainsey
Travis Dermott – Nikita Zaitsev
Trading someone like Nylander for a defenseman should be a no go.
Can the Maple Leafs lure John Tavares? That could give the Leafs Matthews, Tavares and Nazem Kadri as their top three centers. It would be hard to fit all those contracts though.
Nylander could be an option at center for their third line if they don’t land Tavares.
Bringing back Bozak on a one-year deal could make sense if other options fail.