The salary cap ceiling for the 2024-25 season is $88,000,000.00. As it stands, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a cap total of $89,069,666.00, thereby needing to shed $1,069,666.00 by October 7th to get cap compliant.(puckpedia.com).
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a cap crunch because or all the mid-range contracts they've handed out to non-star playes. David Kampf is the most expensive 4th liner in the NHL, and the Leafs have over nine million wrapped up in bottom-of-the-lineup players like Kampf, Jarnkrok, Reaves, Timmins and Ekman-Larsson. As such, they have a lot of hard decisions to make as camp comes to a close.
The roster configuration of their last pre-season games were indicative of who Craig Berube and Brad Treliving needed to see more from before ensuring an NHL roster spot. Facing off against a Red Wings lineup that resembled their opening night configuration, this was a tough test for the Leafs hopefuls.
The Leafs overall played an effective defensive game on Thursday and recieved very good news in the form ofa rock solid performance by Anthony Stolarz in securing the 2-0 win. I watched all 60 minutes and found my opinions on a few key players changed in the process. Here is my take on how the Leafs should address their bubble players.
Buy, Sell, or Store
Easton Cowan: Store
After watching his playoff run, I was high on Easton Cowan making the roster out of camp. I'm not sure that's the case anymore. His preseason showings have looked soft, shy, timid, and maybe just void of the confidence and swagger he played with in London. It's likely he's in his head, putting too much pressure on himself to perform, rather than going out and playing his game freely. Management may give him a couple games to start the year to see if he can snap out of it, but I now think he's otherwise London bound to get back to playing dominant hockey.
Max Pacioretty: Sell
I was in favour of bringing Pacioretty in on a third line role beside John Tavares. After watching his last few preseason outputs I think he's too slow and too invisible for the Leafs to commit to. I think Bobby McMann and Pontus Holmberg on the third line would bring more compete, win more boards battles, and play a much faster north-south game to allow JT to thrive as the third man in. I'd let Max Pacioretty walk.
Steven Lorentz: Buy
Now, I'm also okay if we don't keep him, but I get the sense that he's a Craig Berube type of player. 6'4", hard on the boards, pretty good at killing penalties, can play centre or wing, and has great speed. Watching him reminds me of Calle Jarnkrok, in that at times he looks like he out-hustles his IQ, and can overskate pucks or reads. Either way, I get the sense they're likely to keep him on a 4th line role, and I'm happy with what he'll bring to the table. Also, hearing him in interviews, he just sounds like an upbeat, positive guy, so likely a great locker-room add as well. I'd keep him at around an $850K contract.
Calle Jarnkrok: Sell
I actually really like Jarnkrok's game, but I think Lorentz and Holmberg can provide a lot of the same speed and defensive acumen, while being taller, longer, and cheaper. I think there's more value in retaining the $2.1M cap space than there is in keeping Calle Jarnkrok. Sell.
Marshall Rifai: Buy
I loved his game the most last night against Detroit. He eats pucks, wins boards battles, is physical down low, has a great stick and sense to break up plays, and can move the puck out well. The Leafs penalty kill has gone 20 for 20 so far in the preseason, and Rifai's been a noticeable x-factor out there. Love his game, love what he can add to a third pairing, I'm buying.
Timothy Liljegren: Sell
Conversely, I think you keep Rifai and sell on Liljegren. He played so soft last night. He was soft with the puck causing turnovers, soft down low allowing guys to beat him, and just looked like the shaken Timothy Liljegren we've seen a lot over the last few years. Despite Lilje being right handed, and the Leafs having a shortage of right handed defensemen, I think that matters less than what Rifai would provide instead. Sell.
In conclusion, trade Jarnkrok and Liljegren, Sign Lorentz, and if my math is right, that gives the Leafs $3.655M in space to put towards the trade deadline.