Loose leafs

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Nick Robertson has re-signed with the Leafs on a single year deal that pays $1.825M. The second youngest Leaf, after Matthew Knies, produced 15 goals and 22pts in 69 games last season, while adding 1 goal and 2pts in 3 playoff games. His absence from the playoff lineup had many, including myself, believing that he wouldn’t be a Leaf this deep into the summer. However, with a trade market that hasn’t delivered as promised, he remains in Toronto for the time being. His place on the team is still in question as pre-season draws nearer, while he has been linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets in the rumour mill.

One major issue the team faces is the simple fact that there are so many players that have been regular NHLers for years. There’s just not enough roster places for everybody, so something has to give. A simple breakdown looks like this:

Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – Matias Maccelli
Max Domi – John Tavares – William Nylander
Dakota Joshua – Nicholas Roy – Bobby McMann
Steve Lorentz – Scott Laughton – Calle Jarnkrok
Michael Pezzetta – David Kampf – Nicholas Robertson

Morgan Rielly – Brandon Carlo
Jake McCabe – Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Henry Thrun – Philippe Myers

Joseph Woll – Anthony Stolarz

The Leafs need to waive or trade two players from this roster to get to the 23 man limit by the time the puck drops on the 2026 NHL season. This may be as easy as waiving any two of Pezzetta, Thrun or Myers, but I feel as if the team likes what they can bring to the ice, while skaters such as David Kampf, Nicholas Robertson and Calle Jarnkrok appear to be the players they’d prefer to move on from. This also ignores the fact that Easton Cowan is expected to push for a roster spot. If he proves to be ready for NHL action that will add to the log jam.

A tidbit of news in the prospect department came this weekend. The Leafs’ 2024 4th round selection, Victor Johansson turned heads at the World Junior Summer Showcase. He has added 20lbs since his draft year, is skating well, has good hands and has a physical streak to boot. It’s looking more and more like Thommie Bergren has found another Swedish gem in the later rounds for the Leafs.

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