As we get closer to the NHL expansion draft, NHL entry draft, and NHL free agency, the more we see rumors start to surround the Toronto Maple Leafs.
We have already heard that the Vancouver Canucks might have an interest in Alex Kerfoot. Then there are the rumors of Toronto being interested in Dougie Hamilton.
Recently there has been a rumor that Toronto might decide to go with the 7-3-1 protection format for the NHL expansion draft. This will mean that they can only protect three defensemen. Those three are likely Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin, and T.J. Brodie.
This will leave both Justin Holl, and Travis Dermott exposed for the Seattle Kraken to choose from on July 21st.
Toronto Maple Leafs To Trade Travis Dermott
With Dermott being a restricted free agent this off-season compared to Holl being under contract for two more seasons at $2 million, many feel that the Toronto Maple Leafs see Dermott as having more trade value.
The recent rumor surrounding the team is that they are considering the possibility of trading Dermott. If Kyle Dubas and his management staff feel like they’re going to lose one of Holl or Dermott to Seattle, it makes sense to trade the player with a higher trade value.
For salary cap purposes, Dubas will likely only be interested in getting a draft pick in return. He won’t want to be adding any salary, and he is currently without a draft pick in the third or fourth round in this year’s NHL draft. I don’t think it should be too hard for Dubas to find a team willing to give him a pick in either of those rounds for the RFA rights to Dermott.
If Toronto trades Dermott and loses Holl to Seattle, they will have a few holes to fill on their defense. If Dubas can find a way to sign Hamilton to take Holl’s spot, that would be a huge upgrade. Rasmus Sandin will likely take Dermott’s spot on the third pair.
Now Toronto needs to decide what they will do with Morgan Rielly, who becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season.
Morgan Rielly Willing To Accept Less Money To Remain With The Toronto Maple Leafs
According to Pierre Lebrun from TSN, Morgan Rielly is willing to accept a pay cut to make an extension work. However, it sounds like this is only the case if Rielly and the Leafs can get an extension done before the regular season.
If an extension can not be worked out before the season starts, then Toronto will have to choose between trading Rielly with a year left on his deal, or letting him play out the year on an extremely friendly cap-hit.