Reviewing the Toronto Maple Leafs best moves of the summer
Showing faith in two young players and adding a big name on defense have the Leafs in a better position than a year ago.
With training camp beginning, let's review some of the Toronto Maple Leafs off-season transactions. General Manager Brad Treliving was active during free agency and made important decisions on players from last year's roster.
The Toronto Maple Leafs obtained help on defense and goal through free agency with the additions of Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Anthony Stolarz. Max Domi resigned, and Tyler Bertuzzi left to join Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks.
Former goaltender Ilya Samsonov is now a Vegas Golden Knight and TJ Brodie, Joel Edmundson, Ilya Lyubushkin, and Noah Gregor have all signed elsewhere. So, what is the net result of general manager Brad Treliving's machinations?
The Maple Leafs are in a slightly better spot than a year ago. Ultimately, the Leafs added one impact player (Tanev) and lost one (Bertuzzi). An in-house extension, a free-agent addition, and walking away from a former player were the front office's top moves of the summer.
Extending Woll a forward-thinking move
The Torotno Maple Leafs and Treliving wasted no time during NHL free agency revealing their plans in goal. The team signed Stolarz away from the Florida Panthers and extended Joseph Woll.
Extending Woll was a progressive move. Saying goodbye to former starter Samsonov was the right choice. Samsonov has played five full seasons in the NHL and has shown himself to be an average goaltender. He plays well in spurts but is equally capable of letting in too many odorous goals. He proved he could not be counted on in critical situations.
In a small sample size, Woll has proven the opposite. He has mostly excelled during his limited regular-season games over his career but has played better when the spotlight is brighter.
Woll still has a year remaining on his original contract for less than a million dollars. Then, his extension kicks in at a $3.67 AAV million for the next three years.
Woll's health is an issue, but having a starting goaltender with a higher ceiling than any goalie in recent Leafs history for under $4 million annually for multiple years is a steal. It's the type of proactive move that successful teams make.
Tanev addition improves the Leafs defense
Signing a defenseman like Tanev was necessary. The Maple Leafs have had a left-handed dominant defense group for too long. Timothy Liljegren's inability to crack the top-two pairings has not helped.
Tanev also brings a needed defense-first element to the Leafs blue line. He is a shot-blocking, mauling net-front presence that the team has lacked or had in short supply.
His addition should lessen the time on ice of the Maple Leafs long-time minute-munching defensive kingpin, Morgan Rielly. A defense-first partner will also allow Rielly more freedom to contribute offensively, his strongest attribute.
The Leafs still lack an elite defenseman, but they have significantly improved their weakest unit from last season. They now have a much better mix, balance, and versatility on defense.
Letting Bertuzzi walk was the right call
Another positive move was choosing not to match Bertuzzi's deal with the Blackhawks. It's the type of move that results in salary cap problems. The Maple Leafs also have internal options to replace Bertuzzi.
The development of young studs like Matthew Knies and Easton Cowan would have been blocked had the Leafs committed to Bertuzzi. Paying for Tanev to help the defense was needed. Paying Bertuzzi would have been a misuse of money.
The Maple Leafs now have room for Cowan and Knies to develop and play important roles. Most importantly, they can do it at a cheaper rate. Treliving's next proactive move should be signing Knies to an extension to lock him up before he gains more leverage on a long-term deal.
By walking away from Bertuzzi, the Leafs created an opportunity for two of their top prospects and future flexibility with the salary cap.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs summer moves were a combination of forward-thinking and risk. It's a meld that gives them a much better chance at the reward they have been searching for.