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How the Toronto Maple Leafs Can Still Sign Marner and Gardiner

By James Tanner

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 21: Toronto Maple Leafs Defenceman Jake Gardiner (51) in warmups prior to the regular season NHL game between the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs on February 21, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 21: Toronto Maple Leafs Defenceman Jake Gardiner (51) in warmups prior to the regular season NHL game between the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs on February 21, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The rumours are that Toronto Maple Leafs superstar forward Mitch Marner may sign an offer-sheet with another team.

Additionally, the Toronto Maple Leafs just signed Cody Ceci to a contract that pays him roughly what Nikta Zaitsev was making.

The Ceci signing seemed to eat up all the remaining money that could have potentially brought back Jake Gardiner.

But the dream ain’t dead yet.

How the Toronto Maple Leafs can Sign Both Players

The Toronto Maple Leafs capfriendly.com page shows that the Leafs currently have $3 765 301 in available cap-space.

In addition, Nathan Horton’s salary of $5.3 million can be moved to the LTIR once the season starts and it won’t count towards the Leafs cap.

That is roughly $9 million dollars.

In addition, the capfriendly.com page lists more players than the Leafs actually need, so with Martin Marincin, Ben Harpur, and Kenny Agostino sent to the AHL, that will free up another $2 million.

This gives the Toronto Maple Leafs $11 million dollars.  If they were to trade Zach Hyman and replace him with another league minimum forward, they’d save $1.5 million, which would give them a total of $12.5 million and change to spend.

The Leafs would then have enough money to sign both Gardiner and Marner, if they get creative.

First, give Mitch Marner a one-year $8.5 million dollar contract.  This pays him at his current market value, and gives him a year in which to repeat his 94 points, win a Cup and actually prove that he is worth the money he is asking for.

Next year, the Leafs will be in a much better position to absorb a + $10 million cap hit. (Since Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin can then replace Muzzin and Barrie).

They now have $4 million to pay Gardiner who is 29.  Maybe he can’t get a long term deal due to his back issues, so he takes a one-year ‘prove it’ deal.  If not, the Leafs could offer him a long-term 8 year deal for $4 million annually.

It’s way, way less than he’s worth, but he’s approaching 30 and has a bad back.

I think a guy with a potentially chronic back injury might jump at the chance to sign a max contract like that, even if it pays him less than what he deserves based on the numbers.

The result would see the Toronto Maple Leafs icing a team that features a top four of Rielly, Muzzin, Gardiner and Barrie.   With Travis Dermott and Cody Ceci providing an insane level of depth.

The team that is already the best in the NHL at centre and right wing, and among the best at goalie, would now have the best blue-line in hockey (by about six miles).

Next. Leafs Player Movement Guarantee Checklist. dark

It would take some creativity and a bit of risk, but if they want to the Toronto Maple Leafs could still sign both Marner and Gardiner.

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