Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Leafs: Storylines to Watch Heading Into the Draft and Offseason Part 1

By David Morassutti

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Mark Hunter announces Mitchell Marner (not pictured) as the number four overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs as commissioner Gary Bettman looks on in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Mark Hunter announces Mitchell Marner (not pictured) as the number four overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs as commissioner Gary Bettman looks on in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Leafs
Dec 17, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul (19) after being called for a penalty against the San Jose Sharks at the Air Canada Centre. San Jose defeated Toronto 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Players who could be on the move

What the Leafs have been able to accomplish since Brendan Shanahan took over as president is remarkable. While the team still has a long way to go in terms of building a championship team, the direction they have taken is a total 180 from where it was before.

From Brian Burke, Dave Nonis and Randy Carlyle to Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel and David Clarkson, the organization has made it a point to redefine the identity of this hockey club. The younger players will play a vital role and the front office will not compromise the long-term future of the team in order for short-term gain.

More from Tip of the Tower

With all the moves made, the question that remains to be answered this summer is whether there are more to come? The Leafs are in a position where many of their young prospects are expected to make the jump to the NHL, but it will be tough to find a spot in the lineup.

The one area they need to make room is with their forwards, as they have nine under contract next season. They are Joffrey Lupul, Nazem Kadri, Brooks Laich, James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak, Milan Michalek, Leo Komarov, Colin Greening, and Byron Froese.

Obviously this does not include other forwards expected to make the jump up from the Toronto Marlies. This includes William Nylander, Zach Hyman, Connor Brown, Josh Leivo, and the possibility of Mitch Marner or Andreas Johnson also making the team.

There have been talks that Lupul could be on the move as a trade candidate, placed on LTIR or kept and become one of the forwards exposed for the potential expansion draft. In addition, if the Leafs draft Matthews, it could also mean Bozak will be in play.

However, both Lupul and Bozak have cap hits that teams may not want to take on at the moment. If the Leafs can keep both around this season, they can expose them for the expansion draft, although they may want to get something in return for Bozak.

Another option could be to re-sign Froese and expose him to the expansion draft, so that they can protect one of their younger forwards. This is a situation the Leafs need to sort out, because there is only so much space available on the roster moving forward and they would prefer a balance of veterans and young prospects.

A player to watch on defence is Stuart Percy, who has had a rough time since being drafted in 2011. The former first-round pick is in trouble of losing favour in the organization, especially with the addition of Nikita Zaitsev and the performance of Connor Carrick in the AHL playoffs.

Percy could get moved in a package deal, or get a chance to make the team. The Leafs will need to make some decisions with their roster and don’t be surprised if they make a deal similar to the one when they acquired Michael Grabner from the New York Islanders.

Next: Will they trade for a goalie?

Home/Toronto Maple Leafs