On this version of Toronto Maple Leafs Information & Rumors, I will be trying on the varied referee numbers for tomorrow’s recreation between the Maple Leafs and Ilya Samsonov. Wage presents are very far aside. Now what?
Second, I share how Noel Acciari’s resolution to signal with the Pittsburgh Penguins was tied to the private connection he made with former normal supervisor (GM) Kyle Dubas, in addition to the optimistic testimonial from former teammate Brandon Tanev.
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Third, I am going to come again to a virtually forgotten participant within the Maple Leafs system. It is Nick Robertson. I am rooting for the younger man to have an damage free season. If he does, can he regain his scoring means and start to succeed in his potential as a younger expertise?
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Lastly, I am going to have a look at the destiny of often-injured Matt Murray and what the Maple Leafs may do with him and his contract. There’s a rumor that he stays too injured to play this season. If that’s the case, will the workforce place him on the long-term injured reserve?
Level one: Why are the Maple Leafs low-cost Samsonov?
In 2022, after Samsonov didn’t obtain a qualifying provide, the Maple Leafs signed him to a one-year, $1.8 million contract. It turned out to be an excellent factor to do. Samsonov has had a powerful season. He went 27-10-5, with a 2.33 goals-against common (GAA) and .919 save proportion.
He additionally helped the workforce earn its first playoff victory in 19 seasons. Now, the Maple Leafs and Samsonov are presently set to face off for arbitration. As a part of the arbitration course of, the workforce provided Samsonov a wage of $2.4 million, and Samsonov’s representatives submitted $4.9 million.
As a result of Samsonov is a 12 months away from turning into an unrestricted free agent (RFA), hypothesis is {that a} one-year deal is more likely to be the results of arbitration or settlement. The Maple Leafs seem to have most popular to maintain the wage provided fairly low, which might enable Samsonov to succeed in unrestricted free company sooner.
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That mentioned, one must assume that the workforce hopes to signal a multi-year cope with their goalkeeper. Nonetheless, that might probably imply shopping for again his a number of unrestricted years. The underside line is that this transfer would result in the next common annual worth (AAV).
A one-year settlement for Samsonov will probably be between $3.5 million and $4.5 million. That is near Matt Murray’s last-season wage cap if the workforce can redeem him. Maple Leafs normal supervisor Brad Treliving is reportedly making an attempt to commerce Murray earlier than the second buyout window opens after Samsonov’s arbitration listening to.
This situation is one thing Maple Leafs followers have to comply with.
Level 2: Noel Acciari’s private reference to Kyle Dubas led him to the Penguins
Acciari, a bodily ahead who got here on the workforce with Ryan O’Reilly of the St. Louis Blues, just lately signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Apparently, he admitted that he adopted former Maple Leafs normal supervisor Kyle Dubas to the Penguins. Acciari had cast a particular bond with Dubas. And, when Dubas joined the Penguins as president of hockey operations, that connection performed an important function in Acciari’s resolution to signal there.
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When Dubas informed him of his plans for the Penguins, Acciari was impressed with the workforce’s targets and his place of their system. Because of this, Acciari signed a three-year contract with a mean annual worth of $2 million to go to Pittsburgh – the Metal Metropolis.
Former Acciari teammate Brandon Tanev, who’s now with the Seattle Kraken, additionally weighed in on what it was prefer to play in Pittsburgh. Tanev praised taking part in with the Penguins, which added weight to the workforce’s enchantment as a vacation spot.
(Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
As a Maple Leafs fan who loved Acciari’s play in Toronto, I want him luck together with his new workforce. I sit up for video games between the 2 groups – perhaps even within the playoffs.
Third level: Can Nick Robertson lastly have an injury-free season?
Robertson was one thing of a forgotten participant in Toronto. As soon as touted because the franchise’s prime prospect, he has struggled with accidents in latest seasons. Nonetheless, if he may stage an injury-free season, what would possibly he be capable of accomplish?
At simply 21, Robertson continues to be seen as a younger expertise with long-term potential. If he may make the workforce roster, it could possibly be good for him and for the group. Contemplating his scoring means, work ethic and potential impression on the workforce, Robertson ought to have a shot at making the Maple Leafs’ opening night time roster for the upcoming season.
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The younger striker has the expertise. He simply wants to remain wholesome. Nonetheless, Robertson confirmed his potential final pre-season when he led the workforce in factors. I keep in mind final preseason that head coach Sheldon Keefe went out of his solution to reward Robertson’s abilities.
I hope Robertson can present his skills as soon as once more. He contributes offensively on the NHL degree when wholesome. Though not tall, he’s a willful warrior – maybe to his doom. He is additionally keen to step up defensively, which may make him an asset at each ends of the rink.
Nobody can ever fault Robertson’s onerous work making an attempt to enhance his recreation. His growth within the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Toronto Marlies can be promising. There he was a point-per-game participant.
What’s subsequent for the Maple Leafs?
Samsonov’s wage arbitration listening to with the Maple Leafs is scheduled for tomorrow (July 21). With arbitration comes a second buyout window for the workforce. This window could possibly be after they determine to purchase out Murray.
Nonetheless, there may be hypothesis about Murray’s well being. His historical past of concussions and his ankle damage could not enable the Maple Leafs to purchase him out of his contract. As an alternative, Elliotte Friedman suggests the workforce may put him on long-term injured reserve or probably commerce him with some additional incentive (a “sweetener”).
