The following two weeks promise to be thrilling, as Toronto Maple Leafs followers anxiously await the end result of the protracted negotiations between restricted free agent (RFA) Mitch Marner’s camp and Maple Leafs basic supervisor Kyle Dubas. There’s a lot work that must be finished, however most of it is dependent upon how the contract deadlock is reconciled.
Associated: Maple Leafs Information & Rumors: Marleau, Johnsson, Kapanen, Marner, Extra
In the intervening time, right here is a few information I’ve compiled on the Maple Leafs.
Merchandise One:
Maple Leafs Give Qualifying Affords to Marner, Kapanen, Johnsson, Carcone
June 25 was the deadline for extending qualifying affords to restricted free brokers (RFAs) and the Maple Leafs introduced who can be receiving affords and who they might enable to turn out to be free brokers. It was not a shock that the workforce prolonged Andreas Johnsson, Kasperi Kapanen, and Mitch Marner.
Maple Leafs proper wing Kasperi Kapanen. (Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports activities)
Their qualifying provide to Michael Carcone must also not be a shock to Toronto Marlies followers. Carcone, who got here to the Maple Leafs from the Vancouver Canucks in change for Josh Leivo, is a 23-year-old proper winger who performed for each the Utica Comets and the Marlies final season. He scored 44 factors in 62 video games and appears to be a prospect with some potential upside. Clearly, Dubas agrees.
The Maple Leafs select to not lengthen qualifying affords to Gabriel Gagne (a 22-year-old proper winger), Nicholas Baptiste (a 23-year-old proper winger who has performed 47 video games with the Buffalo Sabres), Jordan Subban (a 24-year-old right-shot defenseman), and Eamon McAdam (a 24-year-old goalie). These gamers will instantly turn out to be unrestricted free brokers.
Associated: Ennis Was Maple Leafs’ Cut price Hero: Who’s Subsequent?
Igor Ozhiganov, who performed with the Maple Leafs final season, had a disappointing season and has returned to Russia. He additionally was not certified.
Merchandise Two: Dubas Provides Marner His Due
Though the negotiations between Marner and Dubas have turn out to be tense, with some posturing on the NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver final weekend, Dubas isn’t begrudging the method, neither is he taking any alternative to critique Marner for making life robust for him.
Toronto Maple Leafs proper wing Mitchell Marner and Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)
Dubas famous about his prize RFA: “I’m all the time hopeful it would get finished earlier than July 1.” Nonetheless, he additionally admitted, “It’s not on Mitch to free us up, he has his rights. He has been a improbable participant for us, and individual for us. We’ll proceed to work with (agent) Darrin Ferris and his folks, and simply stick with it.”
Dubas was dealing with a troublesome job when he believed the wage cap can be $83 million, as was introduced by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman final December. However, with the announcement that the wage cap for subsequent season will likely be $81.5 million, his job turned much more troublesome.
Associated: Maple Leafs Information & Rumors: Marner, Zaitsev, Hurricanes Commerce, Marleau
Though $81.5 million is a $2 million improve from the 2018-19, it’s additionally a $1.5 million lower from expectations. That’s robust for the Maple Leafs and may cost a little them one other veteran participant to remain under the wage cap.
Merchandise Three: May Nikita Zaitsev Be Staying
in Toronto?
Nikita Zaitsev requested to be traded on Might 30, and Dubas appears to be working to accommodate that request. Nonetheless, the reality is that the workforce doesn’t appear to be near shifting the right-shot defenseman. Final week, there have been rumors that the Canucks had been , however it’s been quiet for the reason that NHL Entry Draft.
Nikita Zaitsev, Toronto Maple Leafs. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Dubas famous that, “I don’t assume it’s assured in any respect (that Zaitsev will likely be traded).” He additionally added, “We’ve advised [Zaitsev and agent Dan Milstein] we are going to attempt to work with them and discover a answer, but when we are able to’t return a defenseman again and may’t keep equal or enhance the workforce, he will likely be again with the workforce. However proper now, it’s establishment.”
Zaitsev has 5 seasons left on a seven-year, $31.5-million contract ($four.5 million AAV).
Merchandise 4: Nick Robertson Excited to
Be Drafted by the Maple Leafs at #53
Nick Robertson is an undersized however a hard-working younger ahead. Maybe missed due to his dimension, he was chosen 53rd general by the Maple Leafs on the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Robertson predicted the pic: He advised his father after the early-June NHL Mix in Buffalo that, “he would moderately be the 53rd choose by the Maple Leafs than go late within the first spherical to a different workforce as a result of, ‘Toronto is the perfect group within the NHL to develop and the perfect metropolis, the perfect followers,’” (from ‘Robertson’s drive makes nice first impression at Leafs improvement camp,’ The Toronto Solar –6/25/19).
The Maple Leafs had been stunned that Robertson was nonetheless out there. Information from the Maple Leafs participant improvement camp, that began on June 25, was that he impressed the workforce along with his drive and willpower.
Robertson, additionally, moved to the Detroit suburb of Northville as a toddler, when Maple Leafs head coach, Mike Babcock coached the Detroit Pink Wings. Babcock additionally occurred to additionally reside in Northville. Robertson knew the neighbourhood the place Babcock lived and needed to fulfill him.
Associated: Dubas Makes Huge Assertion with Undersized Draft Picks
On Halloween, the very younger Robertson dressed up in his Pavel Datsyuk sweater and went operating up and down the road knocking on doorways asking, “Are you Babcock?” When Robertson lastly knocked on the fitting door, he requested the coach about his favourite participant, Datsyuk. As he recollects, Babcock gave him plenty of small sweet bars.
Let’s hope Robertson will quickly be knocking on Babcock’s workplace door searching for extra ice time.
