The Toronto Maple Leafs salary cap situation for the 2024-25 season and beyond is in good standing. Despite what some might say, there should be no panic from management.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have 11 players signed to their NHL roster for next season. According to capfriendly.com, the Leafs have $34.2 million available next season. They assume that the salary cap will be $87.5 million next season.
However, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, on Monday, the NHL updated governors on the latest revenue projections for the season, and the league told owners they are projecting a salary cap of around $87.7 million for next season.
So, the Leafs will have between $34.2 – $34.4 million for their roster, but we’ll need to wait for the final number.
Toronto Maple Leafs Salary Cap Situation Looks Fine Next Season
William Nylander is the only big contract that needs to be dealt with for next season from the current roster.
Even if Leafs general manager Brad Treliving signs Nylander for $10 million, the team will still have over $20 million to fill out their roster. The Leafs bottom six shouldn’t have any players making over $3 million a season. So, after Nylander, most of the Leafs salary cap should go towards another top-six forward and a top-two defenseman.
At the time of this writing, there are plenty of options for the Leafs roster needs for next season. The Toronto Maple Leafs will have a few options for a top-two defenseman and a few more options for a top-six forward. Between free agents and their own prospects, the Leafs have plenty of options for filling out their bottom-six and the rest of their defense.
I will never understand why the Leafs salary cap situation is a priority discussion for many fans and reporters. Every year for the past five seasons or so, people always complain about the Leafs use of the salary cap and every season, assistant GM Brandon Pridham finds a way to make it work. There is no reason he won’t be able to make it work again for the 2024-25 season.
I’m confident that Nylander will get re-signed, the Leafs will retool their defense, and sign a productive player to their top-six for next season.
Until then, let’s try to enjoy what we have this season, even if it’s not as good as many of us would like. I’m sure Leafs GM Brad Treliving will make the necessary moves to give us a fighting chance come playoff time.