The Maple Leafs don't have to make final decisions on the roster until the last day of preseason, but you get to do it now, sight unseen of anyone at training camp.

Below is the most likely players to be contending for NHL roster spots. There are 17 forwards, 8 defenders and 2 goalies. A roster can only have 23 people and the total cap hits have to be less than $88 million.

To make it plausible, I've assumed both players on PTOs will be signed and I've low-ball estimated their cap hits. And no, Max Pacioretty is not signing for league minimum.

I've included Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan because even if you think they'll only play a few games at the start, you have to account for them in your 23 names and $88 million.

Who is your 23?

Player Terms POS Age 2024-25
Auston Matthews NMC C 26 $13,250,000
William Nylander NMC RW 28 $11,500,000
John Tavares NMC C, LW 33 $11,000,000
Mitchell Marner NMC RW 27 $10,903,000
Max Domi M-NTC C, RW 29 $3,750,000
David Kämpf M-NTC C 29 $2,400,000
Calle Järnkrok M-NTC RW, C, LW 32 $2,100,000
Ryan Reaves RW 37 $1,350,000
Bobby McMann RW, LW 28 $1,350,000
Connor Dewar LW, C 25 $1,180,000
Matthew Knies Waivers Exempt LW, RW 21 $925,000
Easton Cowan Waivers Exempt C/W 19 $904,667
Nicholas Robertson LW, RW 22 $875,000
Fraser Minten Waivers Exempt C, LW 20 $816,667
Pontus Holmberg C, LW 25 $800,000
Max Pacioretty Estimate LW 35 $2,000,000
Steven Lorentz Estimate F 28 $800,000
Morgan Rielly NMC LD 30 $7,500,000
Christopher Tanev NMC RD 34 $4,500,000
Oliver Ekman-Larsson M-NTC LD 32 $3,500,000
Timothy Liljegren RD 25 $3,000,000
Jake McCabe NTC LD/RD 30 $2,000,000
Jani Hakanpää RD 32 $1,470,000
Simon Benoit LD 25 $1,350,000
Conor Timmins RD 25 $1,100,000
Anthony Stolarz M-NTC G 30 $2,500,000
Joseph Woll G 25 $766,667
$93,591,001