Things the Toronto Maple Leafs Absolutely Will Not Do

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have a very busy summer.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have an overcrowded blue-line, some no trade clauses they regret, a goalie situation to deal with, and several pending free-agents.

Plus, there is obviously going to be some surprises with the draft and free agency coming on the heels of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Oh, and it may be a big summer for potential MVP Auston Matthews.

Look for a goalie, win some awards, make a trade or two, golf – these are things we know the Leafs will do.

But here is a list of things we know they won’t do.

Things the Toronto Maple Leafs Won’t Do This Summer

1. Get a New Coach or GM

This is obvious, but I just like rubbing it in.  The Leafs have a great coach in Sheldon Keefe, and even though the playoffs have obscured the fact, Kyle Dubas has been one of, if not the best, GM In team history. 

2.   Trade William Nylander 

This is the laziest take there is. Something goes wrong in Toronto, better blame Nylander.  Unfortunately for those who just don’t know hockey, Nylander is a superstar who hasn’t even peaked yet.

There is more to Nylander, just as there was more to Kadri.  The Leafs learned their lesson about trading star forwards on great contract, and since Nylander hasn’t been suspended two playoff series in a row, they don’t even have that excuse.

Since it would be impossible to better allocate his money, he isn’t going anywhere. 

3. Sign Jack Campbell to a Multi-Year Extension 

No team in NHL history has ever been more desperate for the calm, cool, relaxing vibes that you can get from starting one of the five best goalies in the world.  To my mind those players are Andre Vasilveskiy, Igor Shesterkin, Ilya Sorokin, Connor Hellebuyck, and Jordan Binnington.

At least two of those players could reasonably be available, but you’ll never know unless you try.  After that, can you lure back Tukka Rask? What about Carey Price?

All I know is that Jack Campell coming back on a cheap one-year deal is fine,  but you don’t want to give him money or term.  It’s not likely they can get an elite goaltender, but it should at least be something they try.

4.   Trade Rasmus Sandin 

Sorry Elliotte, but I think your sources are the same guys who think the Leafs are going to do numbers one through three.  There is no way the Leafs are trading Rasmus Sandin.

In fact, there is a better chance that they bring back Brian Burke to be the GM, he hires Mike Babcock, signs Jack Campbell to an eight year twelve million dollar cap hit contract, then trades Nylander for George Parros, and sends two firsts and a second to the Rangers for Kappo Kakko.

5.  Re-Signing Ilya Mikheyev 

Also not happening. As much as Mikheyev is a coach and fan favorite, he just won’t be worth $4.5 million.   If you think the Leafs will pay Mikeheyev, then I am guessing you were also surprised when they traded Andreas Johnson, Kasperi Kapanen, or failed to protect Jared McCann.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have told us who they are for three, four years now.  The media keeps suggesting moves like they are a normal team, but they aren’t a normal team and they aren’t interested in operating like one.  That is why, even though, to varying degrees, all five of these moves have been suggested by fans/media since the loss to Tampa, it’s fairly clear what they’ll do.

And if you are saying, hey Jim, when were you ever right before?  I suggest you click the banner above and check in on my pre-season predictions.