Maple Leafs Quick Hits: Yes or No on ZAR, O’Reilly & Holl?

Reason Three: His Net-Front Presence

Aston-Reese has the ability to battle in front of the net, which leads to scoring opportunities and screens for his teammates. He enhances the team’s offense and defense.

Reason Four: He’s on a Cap-Friendly Contrat

Re-signing Aston-Reese at a projected cost of under $1 million lets the Maple Leafs allocate resources to other areas of need while maintaining a capable forward.

One Potential Drawback

Reason One: Does He Take a Spot of an Emerging Prospect?

Are there promising prospects within the Maple Leafs’ organization, such as Bobby McMann or Matthew Knies, who could make Aston-Reese expendable if they demonstrate potential and fit his role?

Player Two: Ryan O’Reilly, Should the Toronto Maple Leafs Re-Sign Him?

There are a number of reasons to re-sign O’Reilly.

Reasons One: The Impact of His Playoff Performance

O’Reilly’s experience, leadership, and championship resume add value to the team, particularly during the playoffs.

Reason Two: His Potential Fit 

If O’Reilly is willing to accept a shorter-term contract with a lower average annual value (AAV), he could still contribute to the Maple Leafs’ lineup. He does seem to bring out the best in John Tavares.

Reasons Why O’Reilly Might Be Headed to Free Agency

Reason One: His Contract Limitations

If O’Reilly is offered a significant contract, projected at $5.5 million annually over four years, it might be tough for the Maple Leafs to make that fit inside their salary cap constraints.

Reason Two: His Skating Speed and Roster Needs

O’Reilly is good, but he isn’t speedy. The team might see its potential in adding more speed to the lineup. If so, that could affect O’Reilly’s potential role and lead him to seek a better fit somewhere else.

Player Three: Justin Holl, Should the Toronto Maple Leafs Re-Sign Him?

There are a number of reasons to re-sign Justin Holl:

Reason One: His Defensive Consistency

Holl has shown the ability to be a solid defensive defenseman, particularly in controlling the puck on breakouts.

Reason Two: He’s a Right-Handed Defenseman

Holl has value as a right-handed defenseman who can kill penalties. That makes him attractive to almost any team. Right-handers are rare.

Reason Three: He Potentially Has a Cap-Friendly Contract

With an estimated salary cap hit of around $2.5 million, Holl could provide a cost-effective option for the Maple Leafs (or another team) looking to bolster their defensive depth.

Reasons Against Re-Signing Justin Holl

Reason One: His Inconsistent Performance

Holl does make the occasional mistake or lapse in his positioning. These raise concerns about his ability to consistently perform at a high level.

Reason Two: Are There Emerging Prospects?

The emergence of prospects Timothy Liljegren and Conor Timmins on the right side of the defense could make Holl expendable. If there’s a younger and as trustworthy defenseman who might play the spot, the team will open up opportunities for these prospects to make an impact.

The Bottom Line

As the offseason progresses, the Maple Leafs must make important decisions about Aston-Reese, O’Reilly, and Holl. Each player presents a unique set of reasons for and against their re-signing. 

Ultimately, decisions rest on the Maple Leafs’ long-term goals, roster plans, and the availability of other options in free agency or within their organization that are just as good (and perhaps much cheaper). 

We’ll see what the team will do in a few weeks.