TAVARES HITS OPEN MARKET
Leafs looking to land star centre as free agent frenzy begins,
All eyes are on Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas as the NHL freeagent market opens.
It’s his first real chance to make an impression on the franchise and his every move is sure to be dissected, not just because he’s new to the job but also because of his reputation as an outsidethe-box thinker.
The Leafs have about $25 million in salary-cap space (all dollars U.S.) and only need to sign four players. There’s one in particular that they’re making a play for, of course. John Tavares, the highly coveted captain of the New York Islanders, will be the biggest domino to fall. The market for other centres — including Paul Stastny and the Leafs’ own Tyler Bozak — will be affected by what Tavares does.
There are holes to fill all through the Leafs’ lineup, and Dubas has sold himself as someone focused on finding players with hidden value, rather than throwing money at a problem. Tavares, though, seems to be worth whatever he gets.
Many other free-agent options look like salary-cap accidents waiting to happen. GMs have a history of trying for short-term fixes that lead to long-term problems. How will Dubas compare?
The Leafs might be a very different team next season. Here’s a closer look at the options starting Sunday at noon:
UP THE MIDDLE
Tavares would give the Leafs three incredible centres, with Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri. Some pencilled in Miro Aaltonen for the fourth job, but he’s heading back to Europe. It could well go to the recently signed Par Lindholm. Former first-round pick Frederik Gauthier, now 23, received a qualifying offer, meaning he’s staying also. Regardless what Tavares does, Bozak and Dominic Moore are almost certainly gone. Moore fell out of coach Mike Babcock’s good books last season, and while Bozak would be a good Plan B if Tavares doesn’t sign he’ll probably get better offers in dollars and term elsewhere. The longest-serving Leaf, never quite appreciated enough for his contributions, will be of interest to centrehungry teams including Montreal and Philadelphia. The 32year-old had 11 goals and 32 assists in 81 games last year. If Tavares doesn’t come and Bozak bolts, William Nylander might fit the bill as the thirdline centre — creating a hole on the wing — but Dubas is more likely to look outside. Derek Ryan and Riley Nash might be options.
ON THE WING
James van Riemsdyk and Leo Komarov had been at the core of the team until Matthews and Co. came along. Van Riemsdyk is another under-appreciated player, a big body with soft hands on the power play and a consistent scorer with .373 goals per game since 2013, 20th in the league (ex-Leaf Phil Kessel’s 31st at .354). It would take $6 million a year — for at least six years — to keep him around and the Leafs decided last year to give Patrick Marleau that kind of salary. The three New York-area teams are likely land- ing spots for van Riemsdyk, with New Jersey at the head of the line. Marleau’s old San Jose running mate Joe Thornton, James Neal (25 goals) and David Perron (16) are possibilities for the Leafs, but they have cheaper, homegrown options including Andreas Johnsson and Kasperi Kapanen. Komarov is a Babcock favourite with heart and soul and grit. He may yet return, but his numbers don’t measure up when it comes to the possession style Dubas is after. Still, there were few players Babcock trusted in the Leafs’ zone more than Komarov. If Carl Grundstrom is ready, that may appease the coach.
ON DEFENCE
Bringing back Roman Polak might make Babcock feel better about the club’s penalty killing, but it wouldn’t solve the need for a premier right-handed shot on the blue line. The bad news is that they’re still hard to find and not available via unrestricted free agency, where ex-Leafs Luke Schenn and Cody Franson are available. One-time Leaf chattel Greg Pateryn leads the 15 available righty-shooting defencemen in average ice time. The Leafs did sign Russian Igor Ozhiganov, but if he isn’t the answer then Dubas has his work cut out. Does he go after a better left-handed defenceman — say John Moore or Dan Hamhuis — or trust that the Marlies are ready to promote Justin Holl, Calle Rosen or Andreas Borgman.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
They’re more than set with Frederik Andersen and Curtis McElhinney, but the club believes Garret Sparks is ready for promotion from the Marlies. If the Leafs still believe in McElhinney, they may try to move Sparks rather than risk losing him for nothing on the waiver wire next October. The return may not be that good, though, given a decent free-agent market led by Carter Hutton (2.09 GAA, .931 save mark and on the Sabres’ radar) and also includ- ing Cam Ward, Jonathan Bernier (linked to the Red Wings), Robin Lehner, Petr Mrazek and Jaroslav Halak.
While the free-agent game plays out on Canada Day, Dubas has other issues on his plate:
Matthews and Mitch Marner are also eligible to sign contract extensions starting at noon Sunday. Will both opt for the security of an eight-year deal? Will they want something shorter, like five years to get them to unrestricted free agency sooner? Or will they both reject any extension offers now, hoping to put up big numbers and cash in next year?
Nylander is a restricted free agent and in need of a contract over the summer. He’s probably going to get $6 million to $7 million and the deal will help set the price for Matthews and Marner.
Defenceman Jake Gardiner is heading into the final year of his contract and set to become an unrestricted free agent in a year. He, too, is eligible to sign an extension.