May 4, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CANADA; A shot by Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling (not pictured) scores over Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) during the second period in Game 2 of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to make headlines in the hockey world following the announcement that Kyle Dubas will not return as general manager. NOW Brendan ShanahanIt is the work really begins as this team needs new management staff and filling out a roster as well as questions surrounding the top four.
Maple Leafs need to fill roster spots
Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: Koshan writes whether it’s Dubas or, as we now know, someone else, the Maple Leafs roster needs work before the start of the 2023-24 season.
Outside of the Core Four (Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William NylanderAnd John Tavares) and three other forwards, the Maple Leafs do not have a bottom six listed on the roster.
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Matthew Knies, Calle JarnkrökAnd Sam Lafferty are the other attackers signed for the upcoming season. And of course, questions around the main four and whether any of them are moved. Even if that’s not the case, the team needs work, especially in the top six.
On defense, Koshan among three defenders who are free agents, Luc Schenn, Justin Holl And Erik GustafssonSchenn must be the priority.
With the Maple Leafs facing the salary cap, this team will certainly be different.
Maple Leafs have questions regarding goaltending going forward
David Alter of Hockey News: Alter writes that the Maple Leafs really need to look at their starting goaltenders for next season and what to do with them Matt Murray.
The Maple Leafs went from Jack Campbell and took a risk by trading for Murray. This risk did not pay off. Instead, the team relied on Ilia Samsonov And Joseph Woll before the playoffs. Both are solid options for next year.
However, Samsonov will demand a new contract. So, in order to free up money, are there options to move Murray’s $4.875 million salary cap hit?
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Ilia Samsonov
Alter examines Samsonov’s deal and what he might conclude. Luckily Samsonov is a restricted free agent, so the team has some control. But he was in Washington and the Capitals decided to move on. Alter predicts a two-year contract for Samsonov at between $4.5 million and $5 million per season.
Matt Murray
With Murray, as Alter writes, it won’t be easy to move him. His contract is delayed. He is owed $8 million in real money, with senators already paying $2 million. So any team that picks him up has to take on the $4.875 million cap hit and $6 million in real money.
Now the Maple Leafs could add a sweetener to a deal, like they did with Patrick Marleau, but it backfired on me. Toronto could also buy him out to solve some of this problem. Which is the most likely scenario, as Alter predicts.
Joseph Woll
Woll will be on the roster this season with his cap and if Samsonov is signed to a two-year deal, it will give Woll time to develop and really give the organization a chance to see if he can be a starter at the future as Alter points out. out.
