Toronto Maple Leafs: Why Connor Brown will get Signed
In the dog days of the NHL offseason, fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs become increasingly desperate for topics of discussion.
This summer has certainly been no exception. One of the hottest talking points regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs since the season ended has been the Connor Brown contract. Or more specifically, his lack of one.
Thankfully, I have arrived to quell your fears. Connor Brown will be a Toronto Maple Leaf in 2017-18. It will happen, and we can then all go back to complaining about how dumb it was to re-sign Roman Polak.
Don’t laugh, you know that’s going to happen too.
No Worries
Look around at some of the current RFA situations for other teams. There’s the Andreas Anthanasiou debacle, whose contract negotiations with Detroit have gone so poorly, that he is threatening to sign in the KHL.
Then there’s David Pastrnak. He seems destined to become the next 21 year old superstar the Bruins will trade for nothing.
(Side Note: Maybe we just shouldn’t let the Bruins have good players anymore?)
What do both of those situations have in common? To this point, they seem to have been going rather poorly. Between the public trade rumours and statements from agents, neither side seems likely to relent any time soon.
Now, let me ask you a question: have you heard anything along those lines from Connor Brown? I’ll give you a hint: the answer is no. Despite September being right around the corner, Brown seems pretty relaxed about his contract situation.
In fact, Lou Lamoriello has explicitly stated, in the most Lou way possible, that there is nothing to worry about. When referring to Brown and Zach Hyman in July, he declared:
“They’ll be here in October, how’s that?”
Frankly, if Brown and the Leafs aren’t worried about this, you shouldn’t be either.
Number Swapping
In the past week, it has been reported that Connor Brown would relent his jersey number of 12, handing it over to the newly-acquired veteran Patrick Marleau. In turn, Brown would switch over to his junior number of 28.
Wait a second. Hold your horses.
Why would Brown need a new number if he doesn’t even have a new contract? Good question. The answer could be as simple as that he does in fact have a contract agreement with the Leafs in principle. If that’s the case, what is he waiting for? Well…
At the Limit
The Leafs currently have 47 contracts on the books. That happens put them just 3 under the maximum amount allotted by the CBA. While their roster is deep, it is also crowded. This makes a deal for the purpose of clearing some space sorely needed.
The extra contract spot Brown provides the Leafs hands them the valuable flexibility in order to make a move. Whether it’s a trade for a defenceman, or an AHL depth signing, this extra spot opening could serve as the difference between a deal happening or not.
In unrelated news, Cody Franson is still available. I’m just throwing that out there.
Time and Effort
The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Connor Brown all the way back in 2012. The road he travelled from being a 6th round pick to becoming a full time NHLer has been a long and winding one. He gradually climbed the organization ladder and exists as one of the highest value draft selections of the last five years.
The Leafs organization hasn’t invested 5 years worth of time and money into Brown’s development just to see him lost for nothing. They undoubtedly recognize this.
It’s entirely possible that the Leafs intend to use Brown as an organizational measuring stick. He personifies how draft position does not equate success. The purpose that Brown serves to the organization, both on and off the ice, is far too valuable for them to lose.
Only a Matter of Time
There are far greater things to be worried about as a Leafs fan (see Roman Polak example). The Toronto Maple Leafs love Brown, and he seems to love them right back. This is far from a hostile negotiation, and will likely be over before you know it.
Believe it or not, there is less than a month remaining before the regular season begins and the adrenaline starts pumping. I’d wager that, come December when the playoff hunt is on, you’ll wish you took this time to relax.
Connor Brown sure is.