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Toronto Maple Leafs: Alex Kerfoot Is the Odd Man Out

By Jeremy Ridgewell

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Alex Kerfoot #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his eventual game-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Alex Kerfoot #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his eventual game-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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As we get closer to the July 21st NHL expansion draft, it is more likely that a trade will happen involving the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Hockey insider Frank Seravalli from dailyfaceoff.com mentioned in his trade targets article that the Seattle Kraken have interest in Toronto Maple Leafs forward Alex Kerfoot.

Any trade involving Kerfoot will have to be for a draft pick or a prospect that will not need to be protected in the expansion draft. This will free up $3.5 million in salary-cap space for the Maple Leafs. Toronto currently has $9.35 million in cap space, so an extra $3.5 million would be very beneficial.

If Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas is to make any real changes to Toronto’s roster, he will need as much available cap space as possible. $12.85 million and the cap space from whomever the Seattle Kraken takes in the expansion draft will leave Dubas with at least $14 million to use in free agency.

Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Partners For Alex Kerfoot

Kerfoot would be a good player for a team with lots of cap space but can not afford a lot of actual salary. On July 1st, Kerfoot received his 2021 signing bonus ($1.95 million), so he is only owed the league minimum of $750,000 in actual salary for the 2021-22 season.

Two teams that could benefit from this are the Arizona Coyotes and the New Jersey Devils. If the Toronto Maple Leafs want a draft pick for Kerfoot, then the Devils are the best trade partner.

The Devils have a third-round pick and a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft. They also have a third-round pick and three fourth-round picks in next year’s draft. Arizona has two fourth-round picks in this year’s draft plus a third-round pick and a fourth-round pick in next year’s draft.

If Dubas wants a pick in this year’s draft, the Devils will be selecting higher in the draft than the Coyotes. So here are two possible trade scenarios that Dubas could make for Kerfoot.

To Toronto: New Jersey’s 2021 third round pick
To New Jersey: Alex Kerfoot

To Toronto: Arizona’s 2021 fourth round pick + a prospect
To Arizona: Alex Kerfoot

Next. Leafs Have No Use for Suddenly Available Ex-Stars. dark

Either of these trades would benefit Toronto in the short term in the form of cap space and the long-term in the form of prospect(s). I think Toronto will wait for as long as possible before making a deal, but it will most certainly happen a few days before the expansion draft.

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