After another disappointing Toronto Maple Leafs playoff loss, it's time to break up the core four forwards and that might mean moving on from Mitch Marner, who becomes a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season. Scratch Dakota Joshua's name off the list. As announced by the Vancouver Canucks on ‘X’ Thursday, the club has agreed to terms with forward Dakota Joshua on a four-year, $13 million contract that carries a cap hit of $3.25 million per season. The Toronto Maple Leafs were among the several teams interested in Joshua if he made it to the open market on July 1, though it was unclear if the 28-year-old would make it there. Had he made his way to Toronto, it would have marked a reunion between the two as the club drafted him in the fifth round (128th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft though he never played a game with the organization. Instead, his rights were shipped to the St. Louis Blues for future considerations in 2019. Joshua was fresh off a two-year, $1.65 million contract with the Canucks, earning a well-deserved pay bump this time around. AFP Analytics [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JPtGk5m_S9VuR5e7T8lb_BlilXRwJPF0V2ddQzjjpvc/edit?gid=1769332179#gid=1769332179] was projecting a four-year, $13.05 million contract with a cap hit of $3.26 million a season for his services, and well, that wasn’t far off. Following a career year with the Canucks, he was bound to draw plenty of interest if he became available. The 6-foot-3 left-handed center scored career highs in goals (18), assists (14), and points (32) throughout 63 regular season games in 2023-24. His stellar play carried over to the postseason, scoring four goals paired with four assists and totaling eight points in 13 games. As the Leafs approach July 1, they have been assumed to be on the hunt to address the blueline and their goaltending situation, but adding depth upfront was of interest as well. Looking for a physical, gritty, and intense forward, Joshua seemingly fit the mold. Given the need to find help up the middle or in the top six in general, there was a mutual interest between the two parties had he reached the open market. Now, the Leafs will have to pivot. With July 1 right around the corner, there are still plenty of viable options to fit the team’s needs, including a couple of their own in Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi. However, in his media availability with reporters on Wednesday, general manager Brad Treliving confirmed they'd like to re-sign some pending unrestricted free-agent forwards, but emphasized figuring out the defense first. With that said, the club must be cautious about where and how they spread their money around. According to Puckpedia.com [https://puckpedia.com/team/toronto-maple-leafs], the Leafs have $19.7 million in cap space. Time will tell in the direction the club turns to next. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related ‘I Have Decided To Retire’: Former Maple Leafs forward Daniel Winnik Has Hung Up His Skates Following 19-Year Career [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-have-decided-to-retire-former-maple-leafs-forward-daniel-winnik-has-hung-up-his-skates-following-19-year-career] 'That's Certainly A Consideration': Timothy Liljegren's Arbitration Rights May Force The Maple Leafs Into a Difficult Decision [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/thats-certainly-a-consideration-timothy-liljegrens-arbitration-rights-may-force-the-maple-leafs-into-a-difficult-decision] 'More Than Likely We're Making The Pick': Maple Leafs' Brad Treliving Not Opposed to Dealing First-Round Draft Selection for the Right Deal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/more-than-likely-were-making-the-pick-maple-leafs-brad-treliving-not-opposed-to-dealing-first-round-draft-selection-for-the-right-deal] News from THN.com Oilers on the Verge of Becoming the Most Unlikely, Memorable Cup Champs in NHL History [https://thehockeynews.com/news/oilers-on-the-verge-of-becoming-the-most-unlikely-memorable-cup-champs-in-nhl-history] NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest on Pavel Buchnevich, Logan Couture and Cam Atkinson [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-rumor-roundup-the-latest-on-pavel-buchnevich-logan-couture-and-cam-atkinson] Dallas Stars' Jim Nill Joins Elite Company With GM of the Year Award Win [https://thehockeynews.com/news/dallas-stars-jim-nill-joins-elite-company-with-gm-of-the-year-award-win]
