Off-Season Watch: Latest on Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
Ahead of the NHL draft on June 28th and 29th and the opening of free agency on July 1st, TSN.ca brings you the latest rumor and speculation surrounding the NHL encounter.
The latest from Matthews, Maple Leafs
The Toronto Sun’s Lance Hornby reports that Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving had a brief meeting with Auston Matthews and his agent Judd Moldaver last week, during which both sides made progress towards an extension.
Treliving said upon hiring that his top priority is signing Matthews for a renewal this summer since the center is a year away from full free agency.
“We’re not talking about a good player here,” Treliving said. “We’re talking about an elite player in the world here. Getting to Auston is a priority. But outside of the contract… just the opportunity to build that relationship.”
“It’s not about going down and trying to arm wrestle for contracts. It’s about calming down and getting a chance to get to know him. But more importantly, to give Auston a chance to get to know me (and) know what we’re about.”
Hornby writes that Matthews is expected to continue signing an extension in Toronto while a large number of unrestricted free agents are expected to depart.
He points out that forward Alex Kerfoot and defenseman Justin Holl are both expected to hit the open market on July 1, while Ryan O’Reilly is expected to receive more than the Maple Leafs can offer from a less financially strapped team.
Hornby adds that the Maple Leafs may be interested in re-signing David Kampf if the team can keep their cap hit low and that they could only bring Michael Bunting back if he gets a hometown discount.
Like Matthews, winger William Nylander is entering the final year of his contract and Hornby wonders if it might make sense to swap the Swede for Carolina Hurricanes’ Brett Pesce. Pesce was listed at No. 6 on the inaugural TSN Trade Bait Board of the offseason, with the Hurricanes being willing to trade him if he doesn’t sign a contract extension this summer.
Can the Oilers move Yamamoto?
Edmonton Journal’s Kurt Leavins believes Kailer Yamamoto “is in the game this offseason” as the Oilers look to gain space in the cap.
Yamamoto has been listed as a takeover candidate, but Leavins writes that general manager Ken Holland wants an asset back for the winger. He adds that the Oilers will wait until the “last possible second” before proceeding to a buyout if necessary. The buyout window ends on June 30th.
The 24-year-old enters the final year of his contract with a $3.1 million cap hit. Buying out Yamamoto, who has 10 goals and 25 points in 58 games this season, would give the Oilers $2.66 million in headroom in the 2023-24 season, while capping the following year at $533,334. dollars remains.
One player Leavins doesn’t believe in leaving the Oilers is defenseman Cody Ceci. Leavins expects Ceci to bounce back as a healthy player next season and thinks his $3.25 million cap hit is reasonable for a player of his caliber.
Ceci has one goal and 15 points in 80 games for the Oilers this season and added an assist in 12 playoff games. He remains under contract until the 2024/25 season.
The market for Kalrsson
Erik Karlsson appears in line to win the Norris Trophy, but his future with the San Jose Sharks is less certain.
TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun reported last week that both sides had agreed to explore trade options for the 33-year-old after his career year, but his deal could prove problematic.
That’s Hockey has broken down the potential suitors for the defenseman, who has four years left on his contract and has an annual cap of $11.5 million.