The Toronto Maple Leafs have less than a week to be cap-compliant, and they possibly want to sign two more players. Here's the speculation on what they might do.
The start of the NHL's 2024-25 regular season is fast approaching, leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs facing some cost-cutting roster decisions.
PuckPedia indicates the Leafs sit $1.069 million above this season's $88-million cap. They must be under that ceiling before rosters are finalized by Oct. 7.
Having forwards Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz in camp on professional tryout offers also complicates things. It's assumed Pacioretty will sign with the Leafs for the season, while Lorentz has earned himself a roster spot.
Both could be affordable signings, but it means freeing up cap room for both.
The Hockey News' Evan Doerfler cited TSN's Darren Dreger last week, suggesting right winger Calle Jarnkrok and center David Kampf as trade candidates. He noted the 33-year-old Jarnkrok carries an average annual value of $2.1 million through 2025-26. The veteran has a long injury history and carries a 10-team no-trade list.
Kampf, 29, has earned good reviews as a fourth-line center with the Leafs. He's younger and healthier than Jarnkrok but carries a more expensive cap hit ($2.4 million) through 2026-27. Like Jarnkrok, he has a 10-team no-trade list.
Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun mentioned Jarnkrok and Kampf but also suggested defenseman Conor Timmins as a trade candidate. The 26-year-old Timmins carries a $1.1 million annual cap hit but has struggled through his share of injuries.
The Athletic's James Mirtle suggested other options are available to the Leafs for short-term cap relief if a trade isn't possible.
Mirtle speculated that defenseman Jani Hakanpaa and left wing/center Connor Dewar could start the season on long-term injury reserve. He also proposed putting Timmins on waivers.
Nick Robertson was a fixture in the off-season rumor mill after requesting a trade on June 20. However, he had little leverage to force the issue and signed a one-year, $850,000 deal with the Leafs.
Robertson improved his trade value with his solid preseason play. However, Koshan doubts the young left winger will be moved, citing his value to the Leafs.
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