Significant dilemma in Toronto amid cap space issues and tough decisions
What would you do if you were Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving? Full details down below:
The Maple Leafs are not going to complain about young forward Matthew Knies’ production this season, as he has put up 29 goals and 55 points in his second full season in Toronto. But it could complicate things this summer with the 22-year-old rising star needing a new deal this summer and Maple Leafs’ management facing tough choices.
It’s no secret that general manager Brad Treliving needs to figure out how to re-sign pending unrestricted free agents John Tavares and Mitch Marner ; the latter being the trickiest.
Just last month, Marner had a lot to deal with when the Maple Leafs reportedly asked him to waive his no-trade clause in a potential deal for Mikko Rantanen ahead of this year’s deadline. Marner elected to use his no-trade clause and remained in Toronto. But no one knows if that will still be the case if he hits free agency in July. And if he stays with the Leafs, how much will it cost them and what impact is it going to have on Knies, who could get an offer sheet this summer.
Chris Johnston explained on last night’s Insider Trading on TSN how the Leafs and Treliving could face a significant dilemma this offseason when it comes to Knies and Marner.
“Matthew Knies is a big priority for the Maple Leafs and so well, I can understand to some degree where the speculation of an offer sheet might be out there and being discussed, I don’t believe it’s really a threat when it comes to this player. There’s a couple of reasons for that, Matthew Knies himself is not really interested in entertaining an offer sheet. I don’t think that this is something that him or his agent is looking for heading into the marketplace and the second part of that is the Maple Leafs feel they have plenty of cap space to get their business done this summer. Where that will start? Mitch Marner . What happens with the pending UFA? I think the decisions on Knies will flow from that in terms of does he go for a long-term deal, short-term deal? How much money will be left? [It] will be decided at that point, but you know, heading into this summer, I really believe the Leafs are in a position to sign this player and if he were to sign an offer sheet, they’d likely match it.”
While an offer sheet is not something Knies or his agent are pursuing heading into the offseason, the Maple Leafs will have to make sure they have enough cap space to get their business done this summer.
It all depends what the real priorities are in Toronto.
