Leafs shove 3 players on trade block to sign 2 more players and become cap compliant

The Toronto Maple Leafs need to become cap compliant before the start of the 2024-25 season especially as it seems inevitable that they will sign forward Max Pacioretty and potentially Stanley Cup champion Steven Lorentz, who have attended camp on professional tryout offers.

To make the signings happen, the Maple Leafs are almost forced to get rid of some of their own players since Puck Pedia shows that they sit $1.069 million above this season’s $88-million cap. They must become cap compliant before rosters are finalized by Oct. 7.

Last week, TSN’s Darren Dreger points at winger Calle Jarnkrok and center David Kampf as trade candidates, as the maths would make sense for adding room for signings in Toronto. Jarnkrok carries an average annual value of $2.1 million through 2025-26, but also carries a 10-team no-trade list, while Kampf carries a more expensive cap hit ($2.4 million) through 2026-27 and also has a 10-team no-trade list.

In the past, defenseman Conor Timmins has also been mentioned as a potential trade candidate. The problem is, the defender could be on the brink of a breakout season. After his draft, he faced a significant setback due to a concussion that sidelined him for the entire 2018-2019 campaign. After many obstacles, Timmins was dealt to Toronto in late 2022, giving him a fresh start and offering the Maple Leafs the blend of size, skill, and composure needed for a boost on the back end.

At 25, he’s entering the prime of his career and has the potential to be a regular contributor on the Leafs’ roster… unless he gets moved to make room for another veteran in Pacioretty or Lorentz.

If a trade isn’t in the cards for the Maple Leafs, team insider James Mirtle suggest placing Timmins on waivers instead. If not, he wonders if Jani Hakanpaa and left wing/center Connor Dewar could start the campaign on long-term injury reserve.

A lot of questions for general manager Brad Treliving in Toronto and I guess we will find out the answers in less than a week.