Toronto Maple Leafs: Expiring contracts heading into next season

With a new season on the horizon, there has been time for fans to recharge. The summer melts away quickly, and there are new faces and new realities facing the team. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at what the Leafs’ expiring deals are heading into the season, and how those situations might unfold.

Preface

The contract year is a multifaceted occurrence. At times, players can turn a strong season into a big payday. For others the issue looms large, mostly so for star players due a raise on their next deal. Contract status will ultimately shape many of the trades within the season as well.

The salary cap is rising, and contracts will now age more gracefully should that remain the case. Player salaries have already begun to balloon, following suit. The Leafs did well to get ahead, extending players like Jake McCabe early, and prioritized term on last season’s expensive deadline acquisitions. Combined with the departure of Mitch Marner and the pay cut for John Tavares, the Leafs now have a bit of room on the cap.

It is somewhat unfamiliar ground for the Leafs, who have been pressed against the cap for some time now. Already, the Leafs have capitalized on their new circumstances, trading for Matias Maccelli and Dakota Joshua at discounts. The jury is still out on their fit, or on how the last years of the Leafs veterans with longer contracts, as GM Brad Treliving has relied on. There will be chances to find more wins through navigating the free agent class ahead.

UFAs

Stolarz

Anthony Stolarz will be 32 next season and is coming off a career year. While it was a new high, Stolarz has been proving himself for several seasons now, an undeniable trajectory. At this point, it is fair to say he has earned a longer and more lucrative contract than the two-year, $2M deal that brought him to the Leafs. The Leafs should be interested in extending him, especially if he can start the season strong. He has the chance to prove himself as a tandem lead, whose biggest flaw is his injury history. The level of play has been undeniable.

The Leafs do have Joseph Woll, who might be the starter in a weaker situation. Having two reliable goalies is a boon to an NHL team, a hack for strong regular season results. The Leafs should not be in a rush to move off their current duo, and Woll could save the team some money if he can push Stolarz this coming season.

The Leafs have both Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov knocking on the door for NHL action. While goalies can be volatile to project, both have been building promising resumes towards taking that next step. The Leafs should feel confident in their worthiness to spell their injury-prone tandem, another luxury.

Time will tell how the future shakes out, but there is no harm in the Leafs enjoying their depth in the net for the time being. Stolarz, to this point, has proven himself the top option. One might argue that Woll fetches more on the trade market as well. Until Hildeby or Akhtyamov prove themselves as reliable NHL backups, there is no hurry for trading Woll either.

McMann

Given how the Leafs have prioritized size, it would not be a shock to see McMann re-signed. At times, McMann has flirted with an even more important role. Unfortunately, the consistency has yet to be sustained, as coach Craig Berube has moved him up and down the lineup. Clearly, there is some tough love to keep McMann assertive and direct.

McMann’s unconventional career trajectory might help here, as he has continued improving through his mid-20s. Perhaps the Leafs will need to see a full season of more consistent play before a significant raise is earned. McMann has a terrific opportunity to fit into the Leafs’ top-nine, maybe a chance to earn a contract similar to potential linemates Nic Roy and Dakota Joshua. The trio could be a source of identity for the Leafs.

Laughton

The current regime did trade for Laughton, so at least on some level, interest in re-signing him exists. The centre position is valuable, and Laughton seems to fit Treliving’s vision more than David Kampf does, for example. Laughton is capable defensively and plays with more of an edge than Kampf. His offensive performances have been better in the past, though this has yet to show itself for the Leafs.

A fourth line is only so important, but for now, it aligns the Leafs’ strengths. Treliving and Berube have clearly prioritized dimensions of depth and physicality, seeking more of an identity throughout the lineup. The Leafs still have some star attackers, but their lineup is stout throughout. Laughton is a key part of that, as well as the penalty kill.

Still, an outright extension might seem bold to some. Based on Treliving’s history of rewarding veterans, an extension appears a likely consideration. Any raise would be limited, but the Leafs should be careful on term as well.

Jarnkrok

After missing most of last season with an injury, Calle Jarnkrok has fallen from a key role. In fact, Jarnkrok is currently one of the most imagined trade pieces within Leaf Nation. It must not be forgotten that Treliving once traded for him and was often playing higher in the lineup under former coach Sheldon Keefe. It is entirely possible that Jarnkrok shows well in a contract year, authoring a bounce-back season.

At the same time, there is no guarantee that Berube will favour him, and perhaps better opportunities will lie elsewhere. A raise seems unlikely, and his next deal almost certainly will not be as long as his currently expiring four-year pact. Until then, Jarnkrok will have the chance to prove himself with full health, impressing his coach, fighting his way back up the lineup, and helping the team create a new identity.

AHLers

Matt Benning, Travis Boyd, and Vinny Lettieri are unlikely to see any NHL action. Still, they offer some structure for the prospects on the Toronto Marlies to work with, as well as reasonably low-stakes emergency options. Benning’s buried $100K comes off the books, at the very least.

RFAs

Maccelli

Naturally, RFAs receive a bit more patience as younger players. The Leafs will definitely take their time with Matias Maccelli, who fell off last season with the Utah Mammoth. Maccelli was able to put together two strong seasons for the Arizona Coyotes prior, so the hope will be that he regains that form. With the absence of Marner, Maccelli will be competing with Max Domi for a role as a playmaker in the Leafs’ top-six.

Robertson

Due to his longer tenure with the team, the Leafs might not have as much patience for Nick Robertson. After last season’s trade request, many are surprised he is still with the team. Clearly, there is some offensive talent to work with, but injuries have kept Robertson from rounding out his game. Given the Leafs’ new focus on size, a strong season from Robertson might do more for his trade value than it does for a continued relationship with the Leafs.

Still, the Leafs would be foolish to lose Robertson for nothing and should still be interested in unearthing more from him. Again, with Marner gone, there might be a greater opportunity for offensive wingers like Robertson, who could soon have some internal competition from Easton Cowan.

Thrun

Yet to play a game for the Leafs, it is difficult to handicap what could lie ahead for Thrun and the Leafs. While his experience in the NHL is notable, he will have to be much more effective for the Leafs than he was for the San Jose Sharks. The Leafs do have some depth at left defence, including two puck-moving options in Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. There are promising options below as well, though Noah Chadwick and Victor Johansson are at least a year away from threatening Thrun’s spot. At 24 years old, Thrun still has some time to develop, but he will have to surprise to carve out a longer term on the Leafs.

Quillan

Jacob Quillan has shown some promise in the AHL. After receiving acclaim for his defensive abilities in college, Quillan authored a strong first season as a professional, even earning a short look in the NHL. At 23 years old, Quillan will have to keep showing improvement to get more serious NHL consideration. His 37 points in 67 AHL games last season are promising, and some growth should be expected. Still, Quillan will have to bring more to the table than offence to make his mark. The Leafs should be interested in keeping him around, though Quillan should expect a short-term deal at a low price.

Tverberg

The same age as Quillan, Ryan Tverberg has a bit more AHL experience. The results have been uneven, and last season was somewhat disappointing from a production standpoint. Tverberg will need to make a much better impression this season to remain in the fold. It does not help his cause that it was a former regime that brought him into the organization, as opposed to Quillan.

Prokop

A big left-shot defenceman, John Prokop is the same age as Thrun. His development path has been quite different, turning pro at the end of last season. Still, Prokop has shown some offensive upside. Given his size, if he is able to put together a strong rookie campaign in the AHL, he might be able to pass Thrun on the depth chart.

Villeneuve

Another puck-moving defenceman, William Villeneuve has the benefit of being a right shot. This might give him a leg up over Thrun and Prokop, as might his being a year younger. Villeneuve took a huge step last season, earning him his current one-year deal. He will have a chance to work his way up the depth chart, and the Leafs have little immediate competition for him.

Akhtyamov

Alongside current RFA Dennis Hildeby, Artur Akhtyamov is a bright spot for the future of the Leafs crease. While Hildeby is likely to be squeezed into a short, inexpensive deal closer to training camp, many see Akhtyamov as the better prospect despite less AHL and NHL experience. Either way, the Leafs should be keen on re-signing Akhtyamov, even if this season does not include an obvious step in his progression.

Peksa

On the other hand, goaltender Vyacheslav Peksa has not shown as much so far in his career. With just two AHL games under his belt, time is running out for the 23-year-old to remain a legitimate NHL prospect. The Leafs only have prospect Timofei Obvintsev behind him, meaning there is not much pressure behind him. Still, Peksa is once again slated to get more work in the ECHL than the AHL this coming season. Regardless of what happens above him, the Leafs are more likely to draft or sign another goalie than to re-sign Peksa if he does not start proving himself in the AHL.