If you're catching up on the events of the weekend, it was eventful for the Leafs. The team traded down their first round pick, though still stayed in that round and with their first selection at #31 picked defenceman Ben Danford. We have more on him here:
Though that he would eventually be a Leaf was determined long ago.
Since birth ☝️@danford_ben pic.twitter.com/LPSESLiSL8
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 29, 2024
There was another trade down in Round #2, so the Leafs only selections on the second day of the draft were in the later rounds, though there were a lot of them, and you can find a consolidation of our coverage of each draft pick here:
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We get a breather today before free agency opens up tomorrow, and it already sounds like the big piece to be signed by the Leafs is Chris Tanev as they traded for his rights yesterday with the Stars and gave up prospect Max Ellis in the process.
But you can hear from the GM himself in this video:
In other free agency news, Stamkos is going to market again.
In his post-draft zoom call, TB GM Julien BriseBois said he met with Steven Stamkos’s agent, Don Meehan on Saturday.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 29, 2024
Key quote: “Our respective positions haven't changed following today's trades.”
So, Stamkos headed to market on Monday.
Jeff Skinner will apparently be bought out with a big dollar buyout from the Sabres.
Jeff Skinner has 3 years remaining on his contract, resulting in a buyout that would span six years.
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 29, 2024
The breakdown is as follows:
24-25: $1,444,445
25-26: $4,444,445
26-27: $6,444,445
27-28: $2,444,445
28-29: $2,444,445
29-30: $2,444,445
A buyout saves #LetsGoBuffalo…
But will he ever be the old, err, younger Jeff Skinner?
Jeff Skinner had a horror year, especially defensively, but I think he'll be return to his true form next season, or close to it. pic.twitter.com/KSZ6SkuRur
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) June 29, 2024
And the still unnamed Utah team made the biggest trade of the day.
Holy moly we got a banger of a trade. Mikhail Sergachev is off to Utah for JJ Moser, Connor Geekie and picks - hot damn. Utah gets a No. 1 defenseman and Sergachev gets to be a No. 1 at long last.
— Joe Yerdon (@JoeYerdon) June 29, 2024
It's going to be a big Canada Day tomorrow. You never know what could happen. Qualifying Offers to RFAs are due today so stay tuned for news on who the Leafs might let go as free agents.
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