Chris Tanev and extensions for Max Domi and Timothy Liljegren Have Changed the calculus for the upcoming season.
Chris Tanev and extensions for Max Domi and Timothy Liljegren Have Changed the calculus for the upcoming season.
With the NHL's salary cap increasing to $88 million for the upcoming season, teams across the league have more money to spend. And while the Toronto Maple Leafs are no exception, they still have to be mindful of how they spend it.
The Leafs unofficially kicked off free agency season by getting some extensions done.
They signed Max Domi to a four-year contract extension worth $3.75 million per season.
The Leafs also extended defenseman Timothy Liljegren to a two-year contract extension worth $3 million per season.
Once July 1st rolled around, the Leafs signed Chris Tanev to a six-year deal worth an average of $4.5 million per season.
Those three contracts occupied $11.25 million in salary cap space for this upcoming season (and beyond).
As free agency officially opened, the Leafs reportedly committed to goaltender Anthony Stolarz a two-year deal woth $2.5 million per season
The Leafs also have a deal with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson for four years at $3.5 million per season.
Later on Monday, the Leafs added Jani Hakanpaa to a two-year deal worth $1.5 million per season.
So where do things stand now?
According to PuckPedia.com, the Maple Leafs are committed to 21 players for a total cap hit of $87,044,667, leaving $955,333 in cap space remaining. They could add two more bodies, but appear to have room for just one more without making space elsewhere.
The Leafs have reportedly re-signed Matt Murray as the team's third goalie option at $875,000. If the Leafs carry a third goaltender on their active roster, that reduces the cap hit further to $1,580,333. However, what is more likely is Murray starting with the Marlies and his cap number hitting Toronto's books.
Toronto can have as many as 23 players and as few as 20 on their opening night roster, depending on what they want to do.
What's left?
The Maple Leafs must keep in mind that they still have to make room for Connor Dewar as a restricted free agent. The player is also arbitration-eligible. Nick Robertson is also a restricted free agent, but the Leafs will likely move him after Chris Johnston's report that the player doesn't intend to sign a new deal with the club.
Then there is the potential for players like Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan that could be promoted.
Toronto is permitted to be 10 percent over the salary cap during the off-season ($96.8 million), But it would be surprising for a team with no injuries to take on that risk.
To be updated...
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