Did everyone have a happy Canada Day? I heard fireworks were going off all day and night.
Let’s get right into it. The past week has seen the Toronto Maple Leafs massively overhaul their roster, specifically on the cap sheet, at the bottom of the lineup, and especially on defense. In the morning, the Nikita Zaitsev for Cody Ceci trade played out, lifting the Leafs from $6.6 million in cap dollars for next season. Then, a bevy of depth players were signed, headlined by former Ottawa Senators star centre Jason Spezza coming in on a league-min deal.And finally, while everyone was setting the table for dinner, Kyle Dubas dropped the biggest trade of the week: Nazem Kadri and Calle Rosen going to the Colorado Avalanche for RHD Tyson Barrie and C/LW Alexander Kerfoot.
Kadri, Marleau, Brown, Komarov, van Riemsdyk, Bozak, Martin, Zaitsev, Hainsey, Polak, Carrick, Rosen.
— Kevin Papetti (@KPapetti) July 2, 2019
Kyle Dubas is not afraid to shake things up. Lots of turnover over the last two offseasons.
ICYMI
Here’s a quick summary of all the transactions made yesterday:
- Zaitsev, Brown, and RFA Michael Carone were traded to Ottawa for RFA Cody Ceci, Ben Harpur, Aaron Luchuk, and a 2020 third-round pick.
- Centre Jason Spezza agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $700,000.
- Left winger Kenny Agostino signed a two-year contract with the Maple Leafs, also earning him $700,000 per season.
- Centre Nick Shore came back from the KHL and signed a one-year, $750,000 contract.
- Left defenseman Kevin Gravel also signed a league-min deal, taking $700,000 for one season.
- The Maple Leafs acquired defenseman Tyson Barrie, centre Alexander Kerfoot, and a 2020 sixth-round pick in exchange for centre Nazem Kadri, defenseman Calle Rosen, and the 2020 third-round pick from the Zaitsev deal./
Alexander Kerfoot
Depth players are always fun, but let’s talk about the big trade. First off, Alexander Kerfoot prefers to go by the name Alexander, not Alex.
A note for Leafs fans: He doesn't like the name Alex. It's always Alexander Kerfoot.
— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) July 2, 2019
He's also really good at hockey.
There is some analysis of Kerfoot’s play in the trade article, but I really like Kevin’s video breakdown on Twitter. He picked a Leafs game so we have a good base to compare with.
Like the speed and tenacity thus far. Doesn't need much room to get his shot off. Wins a battle here, then puts it in a good spot for his teammate pic.twitter.com/kEbjPg59A5
— Kevin Papetti (@KPapetti) July 2, 2019
Tyson Barrie
For Barrie, we should be very grateful to Dubas that this team has an actual, real life top-pair right-handed defenseman. Don’t let contrarians on Twitter get in the way of the fact that this is a very good acquisition and Barrie will be a really good player who fits the exact playing style of the Leafs. Thank you, Dubey, you are the best.
HELLO TYSON BARRIE pic.twitter.com/hCIaPyh3Wr
— rahef 🌻 (@rahef_issa) July 1, 2019
Looking ahead for the Leafs
The Leafs are not done with their summer, not even close. The Toronto Marlies have been more-or-less neglected during this time, leaving the forward corps extremely thin. Sure, one or two of the recent additions who don’t make the team in camp will get a chance to be helpful on the Marlies, but this team just lost three of its biggest voices in the locker room, and getting replacements should be on the to-do list for Laurence Gilman and the Leafs.
#Marlies July 1st update:
— Hardev Lad 🏳️🌈 (@HardevLad) July 1, 2019
Colin Greening retires
Michael Carcone traded to OTT
Chris Mueller signs with Syracuse Crunch
Vincent LoVerde signs with Hartford Wolfpack
That's three big mentors gone from the Toronto locker room. Replacing their production and voice will not be easy
So here's how I see the #Marlies forward depth before camp:
— Hardev Lad 🏳️🌈 (@HardevLad) July 1, 2019
Timashov - Brooks - Bracco
Marchment - Engvall - Korshkov
Bradley - Luchuk - Conrad
Woods - Gauthier - Brazeau
Estephan, Clune
That's it. They're going to need something at the top of their lineup.
On July 5th is the deadline for electing for arbitration by the player. Mitchell Marner does not have arbitration rights, Kerfoot is expected to go through the arbitration process, and Cody Ceci will either be walked away from by the Leafs in arbitration or the two sides will come to an agreement on a contract. In that last case, the Leafs will be in pump-and-dump mode with Ceci as they try to get him off the roster for positive or break-even assets.
With many of the key off-season events almost all behind us, here are some of the remaining important dates to still keep in mind as we enter July and August.
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) July 1, 2019
https://t.co/nXfmDT1fO4 pic.twitter.com/06mX6AjCpb
Former Leafs News
You might have heard that Ottawa took all of Toronto’s scraps in the Zaitsev trade, but they also signed former Leafs Ron Hainsey and Tyler Ennis.
Luke Schenn is going to the Tampa Bay Lightning on a league min deal for one year. Good for him, hopefully the popcorn is nice.
Also signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning: Curtis McElhinney! Yep! He’s coming onto Toronto’s biggest divisional threat for two seasons at an AAV of $1.3 million.
Richard Panik got paid by the Washington Capitals. He was given a four-year contract worth $2.75 million per season. How on Earth did he get that?
The Capitals also took Brendan Leipsic under their wing, signing him to a one-year, $700,000 contract.
The Florida Panthers got their hands on Anton Stralman, signing him for three years at $5.5 million per year.
Goalie Calvin Pickard got a two-year contract worth $750,000 per season from the Detroit Red Wings. Some consistency for the former Leafs and Marlies goalie will be good for him after a tumultuous season.
Byron Froese got a league min deal with the Calgary Flames.
Par Lindholm has joined the enemy, signing with the Boston Bruins for two seasons at $850,000.
Around the NHL
Someone actually offered and signed an offer sheet this summer! The only problem with it is that Marc Bergevin didn’t accomplish anything when he signed Sebastian Aho to a contract worth less than market value. Be better, Canadiens. We expected much better fireworks from the first offer sheet in eons. HEOTP is fun right now.
Will we match the offer sheet for Sebastian Aho?
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) July 1, 2019
The Buffalo Sabres traded for average NHL winger Jimmy Vesey for a 2021 third-round pick. Jeez, the 2020’s are coming fast.
You can find all the other big signings that happened yesterday on Cap Friendly’s website. That site is a godsend. Artemi Panarin got a big deal. Same with Sergei Bobrovsky, but with a different team. Neither signed with the New York Islanders, who had the beg and plead for Anders Lee to return to them.
Related
Signings - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps
