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Toronto Maple Leafs: Take Advantage of Cap-Space

By Bruce Harte Ashley

Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello speaks on the phone during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello speaks on the phone during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have an advantage, and they should use it.

The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in unfamiliar territory.  The Maple Leafs have an advantage over a LOT of NHL Teams with the Current State of the NHL salary-cap.

In addition, the Leafs have cap space to add players to their young roster while the Chicago Blackhawks do not.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are monitoring news from the NHLPA union closely. So are the 30 other teams as nhl.com has reported that the cap might rise by 3 million dollars. For teams up against the ceiling, this is good news. As a result, teams with a healthy cap situation are also looking to take advantage of non compliant teams.

At this time of year, there is always talk that the Players may not exercise the CBA’s escalator clause. If that were to happen, a number of teams would be forced to move players and contracts to stay cap compliant.

"The players union designed the escalator clause in the CBA so the salary cap increases each year. The clause, which designates a five percent year-to-year increase, requires annual approval from the NHLPA. Because of various economic factors, including the escrow on players’ paychecks, it hasn’t always been as simple as giving the escalator a thumb’s up. Satchel Price: sbnation.com"

Toronto Maple Leafs Management has Worked Miracles

Brendan Shanahan, Lou Lamoriello and Kyle Dubas are working tirelessly to reshape the Maple Leafs on and off the ice. The white elephant contracts; inherited from Dave Nonis and impossible to move, consequently became prospects, draft picks and veterans banished to Robidas Island.

Phaneuf, Clarkson and Kessel have become Lindberg, Kapanen, Andersen, Rychel, and Nathan Horton. Through the magic of Leafs management, the team now finds itself in a position to assume good players and their contracts from organizations teetering in salary cap oblivion.

Rumor has it that George McPhee of the Golden Knights inquired about Marcus Krüger and Trevor van Riemsdyk. The Blackhawks are willing to move van Riemsdyk to the Golden Knights if they also take the contract of Marcus Krüger.

If rumors prove true and both players are available at a reasonable cost, I hope the Toronto Maple Leafs  knock loudly on Stan Bowman’s door.

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