To no one’s surprise, there were quite a few Maple Leafs’ segments on the latest 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek. The duo went over numerous topics on what should be a very busy summer in Toronto.
Changes are coming in Toronto
Friedman kicked off the podcast by confirming what was already widely assumed. There will be changes coming for the Maple Leafs.
I do think there’s gonna be changes, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. I think the biggest question is how deep do they go and what is the timeline of it… The idea of having 40 million tied up in four forwards, those days are over. The Maple Leafs are going to say that type of roster construction is done, it doesn’t work.
If Friedman is correct, and he very rarely isn’t, it certainly sounds like there could be some significant changes coming this summer. If the Maple Leafs decide their current Core Four roster construction doesn’t work, expect some fireworks.
Sheldon Keefe’s future
Next up, Friedman touched on the status of head coach Sheldon Keefe and what the future might hold for him.
Honestly I think Keefe is a better coach than the market gives him credit for. I wouldn’t be surprised if Keefe ends up going somewhere else and proving his critics in Toronto wrong… I do think the Maple Leafs are going to look at what else is out there… One of the things that happens here is they figure out potentially, what are their alternatives.
First off, Friedman offers some words of support for Keefe, suggesting he may end up moving on and finding success elsewhere. Wouldn’t that be fun? However, he made it evidently clear that the Maple Leafs are very likely to look at alternatives for their head coaching spot this summer, and didn’t offer any suggestion Keefe would be back.
Friedman expanded on the above quote as well, suggesting that the Maple Leafs have actually been discussing alternatives for Keefe all the way back to last summer before they signed him to his current contract. With that in mind, Friedman mentioned Craig Berube as a potential fit.
Brendan Shanahan’s future
Friedman also briefly touched on Brendan Shanahan‘s and what his future might hold in Toronto.
The heat is on right now. This is going to be Keith Pelley’s decision. And for more the only question here is how much time does Pelley need to make the call. Is he keeping [Shanahan] or is he moving on? Pelley has been quiet. That’s the question I have, what is his timetable for making this decision?
I’m not convinced anymore that ownership wants that kind of layer of management. I don’t necessarily believe they want a President of Hockey Operations anymore. It’s possible that layer is eliminated and the general manager simply reports to Pelley.
Friedman didn’t exactly offer words of encouragement when it comes to Shanahan’s job security, going so far as to suggest MLSE may remove Shanahan’s current role as President of Hockey Ops completely. If I were a betting man, I’d say Shanahan may not last through the summer, and Brad Treliving will soon be reporting directly to ownership.
Mitch Marner’s future
Of course, the biggest question in Toronto right now is what happens with Mitch Marner? After a disastrous playoffs, Marner’s future in Toronto is as cloudy as ever.
Does Marner want out?
Friedman began a lengthy segment on Marner but suggested the first question is, does Marner even want to remain in Toronto?
Has he gotten to the point where he thinks long-term it’s just better for him to be somewhere else? He was tentative, he was nervous during these playoffs. Matthews had his moments, Nylander had his moment, Tavares had a big moment. Marner never really had a moment. Now because of where we are in the calendar of his contract, that becomes white-hot under the microscope. To me the number one question is, what does he think? Does any part of him think, it’s time? Maybe is it better to go somewhere else?
Considering Marner’s current contract status and no-move clause (NMC), he has full control over the situation. In the quote above, Friedman certainly believes that there’s a chance Marner may be done with Toronto and be fine waiving his NMC to move on.
The Maple Leafs have options
Building off the above, Friedman discussed where the Maple Leafs stand given Marner’s NMC and control over the situation.
[The Maple Leafs] can go full scorched Earth. They could say, not only are we not offering you what you want, but we’re thinking that maybe it’s better that we just use the cap room. They can say if you don’t want to play ball with us that’s fine we can play it out next year, but what it means is you’re not going to get your extension here and you’re not going to get your eighth year. They can say this is how we’re going to handle it and you can decide to work with us now or you can decide to make your decision later.
Friedman didn’t flat-out say the Maple Leafs would go this route, but he certainly made it sound like a possibility. If Marner decides he doesn’t want to move on this summer, it could create an awkward situation where he returns next season with the full knowledge that the Maple Leafs are not interested in extending him. Would that force Marner’s hand into accepting a move in order to get that extra year on any potential extension? Only time will tell.
The return on a Marner trade
Friedman also briefly touched on the type of return the Maple Leafs could be looking to get if Marner is dealt.
“If they do make a Marner trade, maybe they don’t win the trade and get a stud defenceman in return, but I would think a defenceman would be part of that package. Someone they think can play for them.”
Anytime you’re trading the best player in a deal, you’re likely going to be losing any trade. It sounds like Friedman is suggesting that will likely be the case in any Marner deal. It also sounds like if he is dealt, the Maple Leafs will want a defenceman back in any deal.
The future of the Leafs defence
Friedman covered off quite a few players when discussing the state of the Maple Leafs defence group, and changes that are likely coming.
Brodie and Giordano are likely gone
To no one’s surprise, Marek and Friedman confirmed that veterans T.J. Brodie and Mark Giordano won’t be brought back this summer. The duo combined for just one game in the playoffs so this isn’t a surprise.
The organization loves Jake McCabe
Friedman also strongly suggested that the Maple Leafs will look to extend Jake McCabe.
I heard in addition to how he played, the organization loves him behind the scenes, especially when they went down 3–1. A lot of the attitude came from McCabe, the pride in the team, the pride in his teammates. The “us against the world” mentality.
Big game hunting?
Lastly, Friedman called out some big names that the Leafs could be interested in if they go big game hunting in the summer. The first? Seth Jones.
If Chicago is going to keep losing, I wonder how Jones feels. I know his analytical numbers haven’t been great, but I’m curious to see how he would feel about the Leafs and how they would feel about Jones.”
That would be a blockbuster. Friedman also mentioned the Leafs would have interest in Brett Pesce and Brandon Montour if they became available.
Domi and Bertuzzi
Last up, Friedman went over the futures of two fan favourites in Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi as both are pending free agents.
Max Domi
First off, Friedman suggested there’s a very strong chance that Domi returns next season as long as contract terms can be agreed upon.
I would be shocked if Domi didn’t want to stay. This was a really good fit for him and I simply think it comes down to contract negotiations.
Tyler Bertuzzi
When Bertuzzi was signed, the Maple Leafs discussed a longer term deal but it couldn’t work so they said let’s do a one year deal and see how it goes. There has been some rumours around that he kind of has the Ryan O’Reilly vibe that he doesn’t like all the attention in Toronto.
I think there is some truth to that, but from what I heard it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s against re-signing. I’ve heard he likes his teammates and he’s interested in staying, and the team is interested in having him back. It comes down to contract.
Like Domi, Friedman suggests that there is certainly some mutual interest between Bertuzzi and the Leafs on bringing him back, but it will come down to contract. If the Leafs are willing to pay up and give Bertuzzi a couple of years on a deal, he’ll likely be back.
A wild summer ahead
Buckle up, all signs are pointing to turbulent times ahead for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
