These include CH alumni Max Domi and Tomas Tatar โ https://t.co/vHyDfGkdg5
– DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) July 2, 2023
There was a tremendous amount of signings and action, and it’s not likely to slow down today, considering the many names still available on the market.
Stand-alone players: the best moves from Day 1 ๐๐ https://t.co/nt5RX13EPm
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) July 2, 2023
Among the losing teams, of course, are the Montreal Canadiens’ rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
New, for @NorthStarBet: Where do the #leafs turn next after a slow start to free agency? Plus 10 other thoughts on how things unfolded around the league. https://t.co/Mx8uSW8r5K
– Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 2, 2023
Toronto’s fans (who are frustrated and disappointed by the turn of events) and analysts alike are clear: the team is not as good as it was before the market opened.
It’s been a very difficult day for the Leafs, and the team’s new general manager, Brad Treliving, is already being roundly criticized.
Well, for one thing, the Leafs yesterday lost the services of several key players who have done them proud in recent years (even if they haven’t always been perfect).
They include Ryan O’Reilly ( Nashville Predators ), Alex Kerfoot(Arizona Coyotes), Michael Bunting(Carolina Hurricanes), Luke Schenn(Nashville Predators), Justin Holl(Carolina Hurricanes) and Noel Acciari(Pittsburgh Penguins).
They’re not the biggest names, but they’re all players who were very useful (though not perfect) to the Leafs in terms of depth.
Well, here’s the big problem: Brad Treliving only signed one forward and one defenseman on the first day of free agency.
Ryan Reaves (for THREE YEARS), who doesn’t even count as a replacement for one of the departed players in my book, and John Klingberg, a defenseman who’s a real handful defensively.
The players the Toronto Maple Leafs lost in free agency scored a combined 79 goals in 2022-23.
The new Maple Leafs signed on July 1 combined for 15 goals in 2022-23.
Brad Treliving isn’t done.
– luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) July 2, 2023
It’s easy to understand why Toronto fans are so frustrated.
One might think that Brad Treliving hasn’t finished his work, but at the same time, with about $6M available under the salary cap, things won’t be easy.
Because the team’s number-one goaltender, Ilya Samsonov, is still unsigned, and also because contract extensions need to be signed with Auston Matthews and William Nylander for the 2024-2025 season.
So, right now, here’s the Maple Leafs’ attack.
Yes, I know, aside from the Big-4, it’s very, very ordinary.
Defensively, it’s a little better, but it’s far from perfect.
In short, things aren’t going very well in Toronto right now, and they could get even worse if Treliving doesn’t manage to sign Auston Matthews and William Nylander to contract extensions.
In a gust
– Good signing for the Detroit Red Wings.
$1.125 million salary for Christian Fischer in Detroit. I believe that was his qualifying offer that Arizona did not tender because the Coyotes feared the case would go to arbitration.https://t.co/Ea3gSfTusj
– Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) July 2, 2023
– Summary of Steve Yzerman’s work.
Detroit #LGRW update after signing:
Christian Fischer 1x$1.125M
Yesterday:
Compher
Sprong
KostinGostisbehere
Holl
LindstromReimer
LyonCap Hit: $73,605,556
Cap Space: $9,894,444
Roster Size: 24 (13F – 7D – 3G – 1IR)Notable RFA’s Include:
Velenohttps://t.co/LXIKdJ4iUJ– CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) July 2, 2023
– Read ahead to the Wimbledon tournament.
Round-up of what’s in store at Wimbledon starting Monday ๐พ https://t.co/BmGV7v0yT6
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) July 2, 2023
– Review and analysis of yesterday’s action.
Standalone players: the best shots from Day 1 ๐๐ https://t.co/nt5RX13EPm
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) July 2, 2023
– Read more.
Did I send hate mail to Matt Higgins when the 63-point scorer was chosen by MTL ahead of 163-point scorer Danny Briere in the 1996 NHL Draft? Ummm…nope. That would have been petty and unconscionable. My column on Reinbacher/Michkov controversy: https://t.co/GXFhqKSj11 pic.twitter.com/AsjMXhsDno
– Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) July 2, 2023