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Toronto Maple Leafs: Crucial Part of the Rebuild is Underway

By David Morassutti

Mar 2, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock (R) talks to his team during a timeout against the Washington Capitals in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock (R) talks to his team during a timeout against the Washington Capitals in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Toronto Maple Leafs letting a part of their future get an early glimpse of the NHL. Now the team faces a crucial stage in their rebuild with decisions that will need to be made with their prospects.

Since the trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs have made it clear that getting a long look at the future will be their focus from now until the end of the season. Just this year alone, 14 players at the age of 23 and under have spent time with the Leafs. That list includes; William Nylander, Kasperi Kapanen, Brendan Leipsic, Morgan Rielly, Nikita Soshnikov, Connor Carrick, Scott Harrington, Josh Leivo, Stuart Percy, Frankie Corrado, Garret Sparks, Viktor Loov, Zach Hyman and Martin Marincin.

Related Story: 3 Goaltenders the Maple Leafs Should Pursue

Other than Rielly, Leivo, Harrington, Corrado, Carrick, Percy and Marincin, the other prospects have never played a game in the NHL, which means seven players have made their NHL debuts this season. This is the reality of a rebuild and more are realizing this will be a timely process, where realistic expectations need to be set for these young players.

For the past two years, Leafs’ fans have witnessed the departure of many players, coaches, scouts and general managers from the previous regime. Following the deconstruction of the past regime was the assembly of a strong reputable front office and coaching staff. It was a painful process, but one many are calling easiest part of Brendan Shanahan‘s rebuild plan. The tough part is rebuilding the foundation that had to be taken down.

By giving their young talent a glimpse of the NHL and seeing how they have performed so far, the team should be encouraged with what lies ahead. The tough part is determining when these players will be ready to take over, how to build around them and giving them the keys to this franchise’s future. That is where having a GM like Lou Lamoriello and a head coach like Mike Babcock are vital, because they know what makes an NHL franchise successful.

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The crucial part that this front office has to deal with now, is deciding how much of a step forward they want to take with this rebuild.

If they win one of the top three spots in the draft lottery, they will get a talented player who could play in the NHL next season. Obviously all eyes will be on Auston Matthews, who is the consensus number one pick in the draft, but Leafs’ fans need to understand the limited chance they have to get him.

They were one lottery ball away from winning the Connor McDavid lottery, but the Edmonton Oilers did what they always do. If the Leafs do win the top pick and select Matthews, will it change their approach to free agency and making trades for other players?

The Steven Stamkos situation will be interesting if he is not signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Some are wondering whether the plan changes if Stamkos signs in Toronto?

However, remember there is no guarantee that it happens. Sure he will command a hefty price as a free agent, but he is only 26 years old and should make a push for 35-40 goals.

Jan 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) celebrates with defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) celebrates with defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

For the Leafs, there is no harm offering Stamkos a contract, especially with the team having a lot of flexibility with the salary cap moving forward. Getting a player like Stamkos without giving up any assets other than cap space would be a move in the right direction, because it allows for flexibility with other players. The Leafs are lacking leadership for their young prospects and Stamkos would fill that need, and no, the Leafs do not have to make him the captain, but it could certainly happen.

The other crucial part the Leafs need to sort out, has to do with the contracts of Rielly and Nazem Kadri.

Rielly’s case is tricky, because it is obvious he is their most talented player on the blue line, but Babcock is not ready to name him the No. 1 defenceman. Many young defencemen are signing long-term deals instead of signing bridge deals.

Maybe the situation involving the Montreal Canadiens and what they did with PK Subban is making teams think twice about how they handle their young players, especially those who are still trying to establish themselves. In Rielly’s case, the Leafs will probably try to get him signed for at least five or six years and keep the cap hit under $6 million.

Mar 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly (44) skates the puck away from Minnesota Wild center Charlie Coyle (3) in the first period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly (44) skates the puck away from Minnesota Wild center Charlie Coyle (3) in the first period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

The Pittsburgh Penguins recently signed Olli Maatta to a six-year, $24.5 million extension. Drafted 22nd overall in 2012 (Rielly was drafted fifth overall in 2012) he currently plays on the top pairing with Kris Letang. The Oilers extended Oscar Klefbom to a seven-year $29.17 million deal and David Savard signed a five-year $21.25 million extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

So it should not be tough for the Leafs to get Rielly signed to a long-term deal, although there will be an issue will be the cap hit. The Winnipeg Jets have a similar problem with defenceman Jacob Trouba, who was rumoured to be seeking a long-term contract with a $7 million cap hit, but will probably settle for less.

If the Leafs can do the same with Rielly, it will afford them opportunities to add to an already growing core of players. Travis Dermott, Andrew Nielsen, and Stephen Desrocher will probably join the Toronto Marlies next season, unless one of them can earn a spot with the Leafs. Toronto will need to be patient with their young defencemen, especially Dermott, Nielsen and Desrocher, who have made strides in their development this season.

Mar 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Nikita Soshnikov (41) is congratulated by teammates on the bench after scoring a power-play goal in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Nikita Soshnikov (41) is congratulated by teammates on the bench after scoring a power-play goal in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Next season the Leafs have 13 forwards, three defencemen and a goalie under contract (including Nathan Horton). There has been speculation whether Stephane Robidas and Joffrey Lupul will be able to play next season, or if they’ll go on LTIR (long-term injured reserve) with Horton. This leaves the Leafs with only Jake Gardiner and Matt Hunwick signed next season on the blue line, as Rielly, Corrado, Marincin and Carrick are pending RFAs.

Upfront, the Leafs need to decide on pending RFAs Peter Holland and Kadri, along with Sparks in net. So there will be players to fill the roster along with UFAs, but the real question is how many players from the Marlies will make the roster out of training camp?

Next: Leafs: William Nylander Opens NHL Account in Style

Nylander, Soshnikov, Hyman, Kapanen and Leipsic have made a good impression to play next season, but how about Connor Brown, Percy, Leivo, and other player like Andreas Johnson, and of course Mitch Marner? Training camp in September will be very interesting and really crucial, as the team looks like it wants to take a step forward after going backwards for two years.

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