Significant obstacle emerges in re-signing Domi and Bertuzzi in Toronto
They're two of Toronto's key pending free agents.
It's going to be a critical offseason for the Toronto Maple Leafs, as there are several decisions ahead for the brain trust of president Brendan Shanahan and general manager Brad Treliving, specifically with regard to the handful of pending free agents on the roster.
Two of the more key free agents that can choose to sign elsewhere on July 1 are Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi, both of whom agreed to one-year deals last summer. And while it's been reported that the Leafs have interest in retaining both players, there's going to be one particular obstacle that could prevent the relationship from being extended further.
According to Elliotte Friedman, the reason why deals may not work out with one or perhaps even both of Bertuzzi and Domi is a hesitation on Treliving's part to give them longer term.
"I know Domi wants some term. Look, I think Max Domi is a perfect Leaf. I think he's going to be happy to be here for a long time. I think Toronto is nervous of term. I think if they can find a term number that makes sense to both sides, then I think it happens," Friedman said while appearing on a recent airing of 'Leafs Morning Take'.
"Bertuzzi is the interesting one. I also think they want to bring him back. But again, I think the Leafs are trying to be really careful about term, and that's one thing that I was warned, if they lose some of these players, it's probably going be because of term more than AAV."
After a slower start to the season offensively, Bertuzzi would ultimately score 21 goals with 22 assists and contributed a goal with three assists in the playoffs, a seven-game series loss to his former Boston Bruins teammates. Domi, who is the son of Leafs icon Tie Domi, he scored nine goals with 38 assists in 80 games, while also adding goal and trio of assists in the playoffs.
Right now, the Leafs are projected to have around $18 million worth of salary cap space to work with.
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