Defensemen
While there are seven forwards who can potentially walk away in the offseason, the Maple Leafs need to address just three expiring contracts on the blue line.
Justin Holl
A big reason why the Maple Leafs fumbled the 2021 Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft was because of Dubas’s desire to keep Justin Holl. The time is almost upon us to see just how those feelings have held up since then.
Holl played himself out of the lineup in the opening round of the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning. His egregious errors made him a liability at times. That’s not to say that Holl isn’t a fine NHL player. He is. Unfortunately, Holl has been branded by Leafs fans as someone who needs to leave town.
Holl can continue to earn $2 million a year, which is a fitting salary for what he brings to the ice. It just won’t be paid to him by the Maple Leafs next season and beyond.
Chance of remaining on the Toronto Maple Leafs: 10%
Luke Schenn
Luke Schenn is not the same player he was on his first pass with the Leafs. The playoffs have proven that at age 33, he can still play and make things difficult for his opponents. Schenn has been a physical presence in the playoffs, a trait that was desperately needed in the organization.
The Leafs will likely try to work out a deal to continue keeping Schenn in blue and white. He currently carries a cap hit of $850k. If he’s willing to re-sign at that same value, there’s no way he’s going anywhere.
Chance of remaining on the Toronto Maple Leafs: 60%
Erik Gustafsson
Erik Gustafsson joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of the return received for shipping Rasmus Sandin to the Washington Capitals. Gustafsson, at 31-year-old, was likely sought after to add another veteran presence for the playoffs.
Gustafsson, much like Schenn is a depth piece for the Leafs. However, unlike Schenn, Gustafsson is a fast skater. An upper body injury limited Gustafsson’s time in the first round.
His first time in the lineup was in Game 6 where he skated just 7:38 minutes of ice time. Just like with Schenn, the Leafs interest in Gustafsson will be his price tag. He can continue to be a bottom pairing player if he returns at close to league minimum.
Chance of remaining on the Toronto Maple Leafs: 50%