3 thoughts on the Toronto Maple Leafs latest moves ahead of training camp
The Toronto Maple Leafs recent moves call into question the team's overall vision as training camp looms around the corner, signalilng the potential for more moves in the coming days.
This week has brought interesting news for Toronto Maple Leafs fans. While the events are hardly Earth-shattering, they signal the direction in which the team is headed.
So, we’re going to look at the Nick Robertson signing and what it signals to the rest of the team. Also, we’ll be considering the Leafs blue line, specifically as it pertains to Jani Hakanpaa and Mark Giordano. Finally, we’ll be looking at what the Max Pacioretty situation means for the team’s lineup heading into camp.
It’s worth pointing out that the Toronto Maple Leafs face cap space issues, making it impossible to sign everyone and fit them under the cap without clearing some room first.
So, it remains to be seen what additional moves Brad Treliving has in mind as the Leafs head into training camp in a few days.
Looking at the Toronto Maple Leafs latest moves in closer detail
Item #1: Nick Robertson is not guaranteed a roster spot
This week, the Maple Leafs and RFA Nick Robertson ended their stalemate with a one-year, $875K deal. The news is most welcome as the last thing the Leafs need is a distraction over a largely inconsequential issue.
While Robertson is a key part of the team’s youth movement, it was senseless to drag out this issue as long as both sides did. But with the deal, the matter is now in the rear-view mirror.
But there’s one thing that many folks have overlooked: The fact that Robertson has signed doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed a roster spot. Robertson still needs to show up at training camp and earn the spot he gets. That said, he's clearly going to make the team, unless he's traded.
The assurance this season is that Robertson will get every opportunity to make the team and play a meaningful role. I envision Robertson on the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander. However, it should automatically be assumed that Robertson will play there.
In fact, Robertson needs to prove his talent, while showing he can stay healthy. If he can do both, he will get a hefty raise next season, whether in Toronto or elsewhere.
On the flip side, if Robertson washes out, he could get his originally wish and get traded.
In short, Robertson needs to work his tail off in camp. He’ll be up against Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann, while possibly facing some competition from Easton Cowan. Competition is always a healthy thing to have. So, hopefully, it can translate into a successful season for all players involved.
Item #2: Addressing depth defense rumours and moves
The Toronto Maple Leafs officially signed Jani Hakanpaa to a one-year, $1.47 million deal on Wednesday. The announcement ends weeks of speculation regarding the 6’7” blue liner’s eventually landing in Toronto.
Now, health concerns aside, what exactly does this move mean for the Leafs?
If the move is intended to add depth to the blue line, I’m sorry to say that Hakanpaa’s signing failed to achieve that. As it stands, Hakanpaa is most likely headed to LTIR. After all, it’s hard to imagine Hakanpaa beating out any of the Leafs current top six defencemen for a lineup spot.
Perhaps the idea is to keep Hakanpaa as a seventh defenceman. However, the team already has Conor Timmins, while Marshall Rifai and Philippe Myers could be in the mix if and when injuries strike.
Then, there are the Mark Giordano rumours. I like Giordano. I think he’s a warrior, especially playing at his age. Giordano could fit in well in the seventh defenceman role heading into this season. But there’s a catch.
Is it worth signing Giordano so he can sit in the press box most of the year?
Like Hakanpaa and Timmins, Giordano doesn’t actually make the Leafs any younger or more talented. He’s a stopgap solution in case things suddenly go south on the blue line.
In my estimation, Treliving’s eyes will be glued to the waiver wire as the first round of cuts hits the NHL. The Leafs will be looking for cheap, serviceable rearguards to support the Marlies and serve as call-ups as need be.
Item #3: Does signing Max Pacioretty even make sense now?
Prior to the Nick Robertson signing, getting Pacioretty into the fold made some sense. An argument could have been made for Easton Cowan on the third line with Pacioretty playing a fourth-line grinder role.
But now that Robertson is in the fold, and considering the fact that he’s not guaranteed a roster spot, does bringing Pacioretty in make sense now?
Personally, I don’t think so. My concern is that signing Pacioretty will take away a potential roster spot for someone like Cowan. So, reading between the lines, it seems that the Leafs aren’t sure about what they have in Robertson or that Cowan can make the team.
Assuming that Cowan just isn’t ready for the NHL yet, bringing in Pacioretty makes sense. Pacioretty can take over the fourth-line left-wing job, with McMann and Robertson duking it out for the second-line role.
Now, there’s another twist to this situation. Rumours persist that the Leafs will be looking to trade Robertson anyway. I don’t think that’s the case. But bringing in Pacioretty would alleviate the loss of Robertson if and when such a rumour becomes true.
Again, I don’t think Robertson is going anywhere this season. Both sides are interested in him playing out the year, and playing well.
If the Leafs do bring Pacioretty in, it could be nothing more than a low-risk move. Pacioretty is essentially done in the NHL. Signing him would be nothing more than an attempt to prove he still belongs in the pros. If he pans out, the Leafs could get a resurgent season at a bargain basement price.
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But that seems like wishful thinking at this point.