The Toronto Maple Leafs are re-tooling their club. If rumors are true, they could potentially add yet another star talent to their lineup this offseason.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are always looking to get better. With one of the most talented teams in the league, they might be just one solid roster move away from finally getting the franchise over their first-round playoffs hump and eyeing Lord Stanley’s Mug.
That roster move could come early this offseason. The Leafs could potentially add a big piece with Gabriel Landeskog who will be an unrestricted free-agent on July 28.
Landeskog is reportedly “disappointed” that negotiations with the Colorado Avalanche haven’t yet resulted in an extension. He spoke about it with Peter Baugh of The Athletic. “I can’t help but be honest with you,” started Landeskog. “I’m a little bit disappointed that it’s gotten this far and it’s had to come to this point.”
Landeskog’s representatives and the team may not reach an agreement before free agency opens as it’s been reported that things have gotten contentious between both parties. That’s because Landeskog is looking for more money than the Avs are willing to pay him.
Toronto Maple Leafs and Gabriel Landeskog
This could spell a split between the 28-year-old left-winger and the only team he’s ever played for. If that were to happen, Landeskog wouldn’t have to struggle to find his suitors. He has been in the NHL for ten years and played a total of 687 games. In that span, Landeskog has recorded 218 goals and 294 assists for 512 points. This past season, in the 54 games he played, the six-foot-one, 215 pounds Swede was almost a point-per-game player. He had 20 goals and 32 helpers. (stats hockeyreference.com).
If Alex Kerfoot's $3.5 million is off the books and Gabe Landeskog doesn't have a deal in Colorado, could we see the Buds pursue the Avs captain? 👀@TheFourthPeriod joined #SNTonight with @AndyMc81 & @RusicSN590 to discuss!#LeafsForever | #NHL pic.twitter.com/upD5WSrdSH
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) July 15, 2021
Dave Pagnotta has speculated that Alex Kerfoot could be moved, which would free up $3.5 million of cap space. If that happens, the Leafs would set their sights on adding another captain to their captain collection.
Landeskog would be a great fit with the Toronto Maple Leafs, playing on either one of their top two lines. Considering the chatter on how well Taylor Hall would look with the Buds, Colorado’s captain would be even better. He could play on the left side of either Auston Matthews or John Tavares and have the line completed by either Mitch Marner or William Nylander. There’s no doubt that the addition of Landeskog would be dynamic for the team’s offense. He would be a significant upgrade over Zach Hyman.
What could be tricky for the Leafs is meeting the number that Landeskog is hoping to reach as his annual salary. His current contract is paying him on a $6.5 million AAV. He might be looking to try and find a club looking to pay him the same figure as Pagnotta reported that the Avs offered $5-$5.5 million. Hopefully, if Landeskog is interested in coming to Toronto, Kyle Dubas is able to get creative and find a way to ink him to a reasonable deal.
At the very least, Dubas should be in touch with Landeskog’s agent as soon as he is permitted. Though it would put some stress on the salary cap, it would put even more on opposing defenses. For that reason alone, the Leafs should take a run at adding what could be their missing piece.