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Why the Toronto Maple Leafs Should go Cheap on LW Next Year

By Jeremy Ridgewell |
Oct 20, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Nicholas Robertson (89) scores a goal and celebrates against the Dallas Stars during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Nicholas Robertson (89) scores a goal and celebrates against the Dallas Stars during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs have seven forwards becoming unrestricted free agents (UFA) this off-season. A few spent most of the 2022-23 season playing on the left wing.

Each will be looking for a raise, but should the Toronto Maple Leafs pay up or let them walk?

Calle Jarnkrok is under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs for three more seasons at $2.1 million. Matthew Knies ($925,000) is under contract for two more seasons. After them, Toronto has Nick Robertson ($796,667) for one more season before he becomes an RFA. All three can fill a left-wing spot in the Maple Leafs’ top three lines.
(Salary cap info from capfriendly.com)

With cost-friendly options already under contract, should Toronto bother trying to re-sign players like Alex Kerfoot or Michael Bunting? I don’t believe they should. With Jarnkrok, Knies, and Robertson capable of playing the left-wing position on the first three lines, overspending on a free agent does not make sense.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas will need every available dollar to sign Auston Matthews and William Nylander to contract extensions. Depending on cost, the only pending UFA forwards Dubas should try to re-sign are Ryan O’Reilly, Noel Acciari, and David Kampf. All three play their roles in Toronto’s lineup perfectly.

Toronto Maple Leafs 2023-24 Roster

Toronto has $7.456 million in projected salary cap space for next season. Placing Jake Muzzin on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) will create additional space. There is also no telling what the team will do with often-injured goaltender Matt Murray. Their main focus should be to trade him without retaining any money.

Before signing or re-signing anyone, the Leafs could have $19.4 million available in salary cap with Murray traded and Muzzin on LTIR. The Toronto Maple Leafs then have eight players from their roster and the Toronto Marlies’ roster who are RFAs. The most expensive RFA Toronto will need to re-sign is Ilya Samsonov.

Next. Everyone Loves Mark Giordano. dark

A lot could happen to this team in the off-season. The biggest will be whether or not Kyle Dubas returns as GM or not. Dubas put everything he had into the Maple Leafs’ current roster but needs them to find playoff success. His job depends on the Maple Leafs making it beyond the first round of the NHL playoffs. (Which hopefully already happened).

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