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Toronto Maple Leafs: How they can afford to sign Tyson Barrie to a long-term deal

By David Morassutti

Tyson Barrie #4 of the Colorado Avalanche advances the puck against the San Jose Sharks in the second period during Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 2, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Tyson Barrie #4 of the Colorado Avalanche advances the puck against the San Jose Sharks in the second period during Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 2, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO,ON – SEPTEMBER 21: Timothy Liljegren #37 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates during the warm-up prior to action against the Buffalo Sabres in an NHL pre-season game at Scotiabank Arena on September 21, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Start graduating defenceman prospects to NHL

It is no secret that contending teams need their prospects to make an impact considering how close to the salary cap they get. Being able to plug in a top-four defenceman or a top-six forward who is making less than $1 million is a big help and it is something the Leafs are going to have to rely on more with their stars signing big-money contracts.

Where the Leafs are going to need to see their drafting and developing play a bigger role is on the blueline especially with Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren. Both were first-round picks and have made strides with the Toronto Marlies but whether or not they can make the jump to the NHL remains to be seen.

James Reeve looked at whether the young Swedes would be ready to make an impact this season and even if neither makes it out of camp, it is possible that both could be factors at some point this season. While it is important to be patient with young defenceman, the Leafs can’t wait years for them to develop.

Barrie can also ease some of the pressure on both prospects especially Liljegren if he does work in the team’s system. Right-handed shot defencemen have been tough to come by and why not try to give yourself as many quality options.

Also, if players like Jake Muzzin and Cody Ceci elect for free agency, the team needs to replace them and might not have the salary-cap space to go out and find a player in free agency to do it. This is where you need to be confident in whether Liljegren and Sandin can have an impact and provide some assurance going forward.

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