Toronto Maple Leafs’ Cap Challenges and Trade Deadline Decisions
With the Toronto Maple Leafs off until February 22nd due to the 4 Nations Face-Off, the team’s management is using this time to explore ways to improve their roster ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, their biggest obstacle is their lack of salary cap space. If the entire team, including injured forward Calle Järnkrok, were healthy, the Leafs would be approximately $2.5 million over the cap.
To make meaningful upgrades, the Leafs must shed some contracts to free up cap space. The ideal scenario would involve acquiring center Scott Laughton and defenseman Noah Dobson. Together, they carry a cap hit of $7 million, and expecting any salary retention from their respective teams is unrealistic given their high trade value.
Contracts the Leafs Must Move
1. Calle Järnkrok ($2.1 million cap hit)
Järnkrok is a useful player, and moving his contract shouldn’t be too difficult. However, since he’s currently on injured reserve, his salary isn’t counting against the cap at the moment. Still, once he returns, clearing his contract will be necessary.
2. Connor Dewar ($1.18 million cap hit)
Dewar’s contract is another that needs to be off the books. He’s struggled this season and is considered one of the weakest players on the roster. As a pending unrestricted free agent, moving him should not be a major challenge, especially since his cap hit isn’t excessive.
3. Max Domi ($3.5 million per season, four-year deal)
A key issue in creating cap space is Domi’s contract. His $3.5 million salary over four years is a major commitment, and shedding it will be costly. The Leafs will likely have to package him in any trade for a defenseman like Dobson, making the deal more expensive. However, if they don’t move Domi’s contract, they won’t have enough cap space to make significant roster improvements.
4. Ryan Reaves ($1.35 million per season) & David Kämpf ($2.4 million per season)
To make room for Laughton, the Leafs must also part ways with Reaves and Kämpf. Their combined salaries would free up enough space, and their departures wouldn’t have a significant impact on the team. Internal replacements such as Pontus Holmberg and Alex Steeves could step into their roles, while Laughton would provide an upgrade in the bottom six.
A Difficult Situation for Toronto
If the Leafs were to make these moves, they would be shedding five players—Järnkrok, Dewar, Reaves, Domi, and Kämpf—just to add two new ones. Completely overhauling 25% of the roster at the trade deadline is a massive challenge, making it unlikely that Toronto can execute such a plan.
Ultimately, given their financial constraints, it’s doubtful the Leafs will be able to make the significant additions they need. If they fail to advance in the playoffs, it could lead to major changes in the front office, with a new general manager and president likely taking over next season.