The Toronto Maple Leafs Should Trade Andreas Johnsson
With three years left at $3.4 million per season, Andreas Johnsson could be the perfect trade chip for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
By having roughly $40 million tied up in their top-four forwards, it’s no secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs have salary cap issues.
Unfortunately for the Leafs, their salary cap problems worsen with every day that passes without games. Without daily revenue and the potential of a lost season, there’s no way that the salary cap can rise next season.
The Leafs were already up against the cap no matter what happens next year, but if the salary cap doesn’t rise, or actually dips, they’ll be in a lot of trouble. As a result, they will need to shed a contract or two and many have debated between Andreas Johnsson or Kasperi Kapanen as those casualties.
Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Chips
- 2018-19 Season (78 Games Played) – 20 goals, 24 assists, 44 points
- 2019-20 Season (82 game pace) – 15 goals, 27 assists, 43 points
- 2018-19 Season (73 games played) – 20 goals, 23 assists, 43 points
- 2019-20 Season (82 game pace) – 15 goals, 25 assists, 40 points
No, you’re not seeing double. Player A is Kapanen and Player B is Johnsson.
Both players are solid wingers that can contribute as top-six forwards, but if you have to keep one player, it has to be Kapanen.
Why? Look below:
Kapanen is a game-changer. His speed is something that can’t be taught and his ability to get a breakaway at any moment is so important.
Within his last three playoff series, Kapanen has been clutch:
- 2017 – Scored a double-overtime winner in Game 2 to tie the series 1-1
- 2018- Scored a short-handed breakaway goal in Game 7 to take a 4-3 lead in the 2nd period
- 2019 – Scored game-winning goal in Game 5 on the road to give Leafs a 3-2 series lead
Kapanen’s incredibly skilled on the penalty-kill and if you’re going to have one player making over $3 million on the third-line, you’re going to get more value out of Kapanen than Johnsson.
Kapanen has also shown a toughness in him this year that he’s not afraid to fight and he’s becoming the perfect third line player. Comparatively, who knows how much the knee surgery will effect Johnsson when he comes back.
If we look at the predicted 2020-21 roster, Kapanen fits perfectly on the third line, as Nick Robertson and Alexander Barabanov fill the top line wingers. In addition, this scenario also has Alexander Kerfoot traded to make cap space.
Zach Hyman-John Tavares- Alexander Barabanov
Nick Robertson-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Ilya Mikheyev-William Nylander-Kasperi Kapanen
Kyle Clifford-Jason Spezza-Pierre Engvall
In a perfect world, Nylander transitions to centre, so the Leafs become the best team down the middle in the NHL. Also, by trading Johnsson and Kerfoot, it not only opens cap space but it gives the Leafs a chance to acquire a defenseman or two.
Next. Leafs Top Ten Prospects. dark
Although Johnnson is a very good player, just like Mason Marchment, Trevor Moore, Carl Grundstrom and Dmytro Timashov, it’s time for another key piece from the 2018 Toronto Marlies Calder Cup team to move on.
The Leafs have to trade Johnsson.