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Toronto Maple Leafs: Near 100% Probability of an Alex Kerfoot Trade

By James Tanner

May 4, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Alexander Kerfoot (15) scores a goal during the third period of game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Alexander Kerfoot (15) scores a goal during the third period of game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alex Kerfoot, left winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs, is a very underrated player.

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded Nazem Kadri for Alex Kerfoot, and that has always been a roadblock to popularity for the underrated winger.

Like a lesser version of Mats Sandin trying to replace Wendel Clark, there is just too much emotion involved for people to even care that while playing above average defense, he scored 50+ 5v5 points last year on the Leafs second line.

That’s more 5v5 production than either Tavares or Nylander provided.  He can play all three forward positions, is a plus-defender, can kill penalties and play anywhere in the lineup.

He scored at a 5v5 first-line rate, and makes only $3.5 million. 

On any other team, he’d be a valued member.

The Toronto Maple Leafs Have No Choice but to Trade Kerfoot

Nick Robertson and his offensive upside, not to mention a salary that is lower by almost $3 million dollars, has won the second-line left-wing job on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The third line is already made up of the Pierre Engvall/ David Kampf combo.  Last year those two played the toughest minutes in hockey and won them.  They allowed the Leafs – at least at home – to get favorable matchups for their star players.

This allowed them to post a ridiculous home record where they won almost 80% of the points available to them.

The Toronto Maple Leafs would be absolutely nuts to give up such an advantage as having two non-star players be able to win minutes against other team’s stars.

So that means Kerfoot could possibly play right-wing on the 3rd line, assuming Robertson took his job and John Tavares is healthy.

Except for the fact that the Leafs just signed Calle Jarnkrok and he makes over $1 million less than Kerfoot.

Neither of those guys is a long-term fourth-line possibility, so one has to go, and it’s not the guy who just signed as a free agent for four years.

Faced with paying Alex Kerfoot $3.5 dollars to be an injury replacement supersub who skates most of his minutes on the 4th line, the Leafs will trade him to clear up the cap space they still need to get cap complient.

A healthy Toronto Maple Leafs team has too many cheaper players who have more upside, and therefore cannot keep Alex Kerfoot on the roster.

Next. Expect Leafs to Dominate. dark

Expect him to be traded soon, barring injury.  I would say few things are an absolute certainty, but that this is close.

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