Leafs to make 2 more signings after today's news on Robertson released
A trio of new contracts handed out by the Leafs today?
UPDATE: According to a report from TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger, the Leafs are expected to make two more signings in the wake of today's news about Nick Robertson's new deal.
The Leafs inked Robertson, who had earlier requested a trade, to a one year deal worth $875,000. Now, Dreger is reporting that the Leafs are turning their attention to UFA's Jani Hakanpaa and Max Pacioretty as their next additions.
From Dreger:
My question is: "How can the Leafs afford this?"
After re-signing Robertson the team has just $400,333 in cap space. If they manage to get Conor Timmins’ $1.1 million cap hit off the books and down to the AHL, they can sign Hakanpaa to his reported $1.5 million cap hit with just $333 to spare. That's barely enough for groceries these days...
So... what do they do with Pacioretty? I wouldn't be surprised if the Leafs brought him in on a professional tryout (PTO) deal which costs them nothing. If he proves his worth then you shuffle the roster and make things work.
Read below for our earlier report on Robertson's signing, published this morning as the news broke online.
This just in, the Toronto Maple Leafs have re-signed restricted free agent (RFA) forward Nick Robertson to a one year deal worth $875,000.
From the Leafs:
The 22 year old former OHL scoring phenom had reportedly requested a trade earlier this offseason as he was looking for a fresh start in the NHL. New Leafs head coach Craig Berube though reportedly met with Robertson in an effort to change the young man's mind. Berube assured Robertson that he'd get a fair shot to secure a regular spot on the Leafs' left-side and evidently it worked because Robertson is now coming to camp on a new deal.
It's also worth noting that GM Brad Treliving scoured the market for a trade but was unable to find anything worthwhile in exchange for Robertson.
With some more fluidity at the top end of the Leafs' roster and with Robertson getting an opportunity to play more of a role moving forward, this deal just makes sense for both sides. Robertson will be an RFA when the deal expires next offseason.
