Toronto maple Leafs Predictions
With the Cap situation as dire as it is in Toronto, I don’t see them making any type of significant splash in the free agent market.
The expansion draft will have some bearing on what moves Dubas makes based on whether Dermott or Kerfoot (or Engvall) is selected by Seattle. I predict it is Dermott that is taken and that Dubas will be targeting Coleman, Granlund, Wennberg and Ryan, ending up with at least two of those names. One of Bogosian or Hutton is likely to be retained as a depth piece and either Halak or Bernier will fill out the goaltending situation.
My preference would be to target Bjugstad or Bonino for the 3rd line centre role and move Kerfoot to the wing. If Kerfoot is picked up in the expansion draft, my immediate focus shifts to Danault. I’d love to see Stastny or Krejci come here but I feel they will be priced out. McGinn would be a nice target for the bottom-six and if possible I’d pick up Ryan or Perry on a one-year cheap deal. I’d also be open to bringing Galchenyuk back on a multi-year deal if it keeps his price down.
Vatanen is an intriguing name but I imagine he will sign somewhere for a decent increase on his 2 million. I’d retain Bogosian and/or Hutton, who are valuable 6/depth defensemen. I’d love to go after Mrazek or Ullmark but I just don’t see how the numbers would work (Same for Coleman). I’d try to pick up Halak for a cheap one or two-year deal and settle for Rinne on a one-year commitment.
I’d really love to find a way to get Blake Coleman in there but this is the reality with Toronto’s difficult Cap situation. Keefe needs to create battles for roster spots and dial in his young stars a bit and he has some decent options there.
But another sub-par, goal-less post season from his leading ice-time getter in Marner might seal both of their fates.