The Toronto Maple Leafs know the way they want to play. Some players fit that mold while others don’t. If you aren’t lighting up the lamp offensively like William Nylander or Auston Matthews, then you’d best be playing rough and tumble like Brandon Carlo or Dakota Joshua.
Right now, the Maple Leafs have a few players who find themselves on the outside looking in. NHL insider David Pagnotta’s new report reveals that the Maple Leafs don’t want to lose David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, and Nick Robertson for nothing.
Maple Leafs Name Their Price on Kampf, Jarnkrok, and Robertson
GettyNick Robertson against the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pagnotta of The Fourth Period published a recent report on the Maple Leafs. He revealed that a few players the team attempted to trade during the summer have hit the trade board once again.
“The Toronto Maple Leafs are once again dangling some of their depth forwards and have spoken with some teams about the likes of Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf and Nick Robertson, according to separate sources,” Pagnotta wrote on September 30. “All three players were shopped during the off-season, but Leafs GM Brad Treliving has not yet found an offer he has deemed acceptable.”
The insider then revealed what compensation the team is looking for in return, in addition to teasing that the trio of players is not an exhaustive list.
“The Leafs are believed to be looking for draft pick compensation in exchange for any of their available forwards,” Pagnotta wrote. “Which may extend beyond the three already mentioned above.”
According to PuckPedia, they currently have $1.14 million in salary cap space, with a projected $5.23 million available at the trade deadline. If the Maple Leafs want to add a truly impactful player, likely, they need closer to $10 million available for the trade deadline.
The “Maple Leafs Misfits”
The line combinations from the last Maple Leafs practice add validity to Pagnotta’s report.
The team practiced with five lines and one extra forward at practice. Kampf, Jarnkrok, and Robertson skated as the team’s “fifth” line. Easton Cowan skated on the fourth line with Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz.
It’s significant to point out that Cowan, Laughton, and Lorentz all make less money than the “fifth” line. Kampft has a $2.4 million cap hit for this year and next, while Jarnkrok is in the final year of his deal, earning $2.1 million. Robertson agreed to a one-year extension before his arbitration date and will be paid $1.85 million this year.
The Kampf, Jarnkrok, and Robertson trio makes $6.35 million combined. The fourth line of Cowan, Laughton, and Lorentz earns almost half of that at $3.67 million combined.
What Teams Could Trade For Them?
GettyThe Maple Leafs need to explore their options with these forwards
A team that has limited cap space or numerous available contracts would be an ideal trade partner in this type of transaction. Additionally, teams with significant draft capital in the next few years are well-suited to serve as trade partners.
Teams with the most salary cap space are the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
From a contracts perspective, the Nashville Predators, Blackhawks, Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, and Minnesota Wild all have 43 or fewer contracts out of a maximum of 50 available.
Of these eight different teams, which ones have a surplus of draft capital? Here’s what these teams are working with in draft capital for the next two seasons:
- Blackhawks: 15 draft picks
- Blue Jackets: 16 draft picks
- Ducks: 16 draft picks
- Red Wings: 14 draft picks
- Penguins: 18 draft picks
- Predators: 21 draft picks
- Canadiens: 16 draft picks
- Wild: 13 draft picks
The Blue Jackets and Ducks make a lot of sense as trade partners. Both teams have significant cap space and a good quantity of draft picks. The Penguins and Predators also stand out, primarily because of the number of draft selections they hold in the next two entry drafts. The Penguins and Predators also have only a few million less in salary cap space.
If a trade happens between now and opening night, it’s likely with one of the Blue Jackets, Ducks, Penguins, or Predators. Tick tock.
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