The Off-Season So Far

The biggest deal has to be the Kadri trade. Kadri, of course, vetoed the first trade, which would have sent him to Southern Alberta. The trade naturally had to happen for two reasons: first, for his lack of discipline in the playoffs and second, to make room for the Marner signing. It ended up only being for the first reason, because the Maple Leafs did not save any salary on the trade to Avs. So what did the Leafs get in acquiring  D Tyson Barrie (retaining 50% of salary) and F Alex Kerfoot?

D Tyson Barrie

Tyson is an offensive dman who will add to the deadly powerplay. Tyson is a great puck distributor. Even more importantly, he knows which player to give it to. Tyson will take the pressure off of Morgan Rielly big time. The Leafs now have two offensive defencemen who can get the puck up to the explosive forwards. Barrie is not known for his defensive play, but who is on the Maple Leafs? Of course, I am a little facetious, but you get my point. If you put him with Travis Dermott, it would be a perfect match. The only negative is Tyson is an RFA. There is speculation that Tyson wants 8 million a year.

F Alex Kerfoot

Alex is a versatile forward who can play centre or wing. Which means he can be a top-six forward. Again, he is another player who can move the puck upward with great speed. Alex will fit in nicely with the Maple Leafs' forwards and will be another weapon in their offensive game. He is a solid forward, and his being locked up is fantastic news for the Leafs.

What is next?

Can you say, Mitch Marner?  Can you say sign Mitch Marner? They are in dialogue every day and getting closer and closer to sign him. The Leafs are going to have to do another trade to make room for him. The most likely being Nylander. The problem they're having in trading Nylander is, who is going to fill in his offensive numbers? They have Jeremy Bracco coming up from the minors. The young prospective forward recorded 22 goals and 75 points for a grand total of 79 points. He is the closest and might be given a chance to stick with the Club.

How much will Marner get?  I suspect it will be 11 million for six years. It will be if the Leafs had anything to say about it. Marner wants 4 or 5 years the Leafs don't want Matthews and Marner going out at the same time. So they are countering with 2 or three years and 7-year offers.