Jersey numbers for the newest additions in Toronto plus a few omissions, which could foreshadow some of the Leafs' plans
The Leafs have been fairly busy this offseason, acquiring Matt Murray via trade, signing several players and addressing needs at every position. Up front, the Leafs announced deals for Nicholas Aube-Kubel, Adam Gaudette, Calle Jarnkrok and Denis Malgin. On defense, the Buds brought in 24-year-old Victor Mete and veteran Jordie Benn. In goal, of course, the aforementioned Murray and 25-year-old Ilya Samsonov.
As always, new players coming in will need jersey numbers. Today, several of the brand new Leafs' jersey numbers were revealed, and they could foreshadow the Leafs' roster plans for next season.
Murray and Samsonov have both worn number 30 for their entire careers, but it would appear as though the tie goes to the veteran, as Murray will don #30 for the Buds next season, while Samsonov will wear #35.
On defense, Victor Mete will wear #98, becoming the first Leaf ever to wear that number. Meanwhile, Benn was an omission - perhaps because both he and Jake Muzzin wear the #8. This could mean that either Benn will start in the AHL or that perhaps the Leafs are working in earnest to try to move Muzzin to clear some cap space. If that's the case, it would free up #8 for Benn.
Up front, Nicholas Aube-Kubel will wear #96 for the Buds, last worn by Egor Korshkov, who was dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes for Alex Galchenyuk a couple of years back. Gaudette will don #71, which was last worn by (as we all know) Nick Foligno in 2021.
Oddly enough - there was no mention of Denis Malgin or what number he may wear next season. Does this mean that Malgin is a likely candidate to begin the season in the AHL unless he can blow the coaches away at training camp in September? That's certainly the way it seems.
As for Jarnkrok, he has recently worn both #91 and #19. Obviously, #91 belongs to captain John Tavares. #19 is available after Jason Spezza elected to retire this summer. The problem is that, so far, there has been no mention of which number Jarnkrok will wear next season.
Does this mean that the Leafs could be planning to either retire Spezza's #19, or that there is still an outside chance that Spezza could sign a deal before the deadline that would allow him to return for one last kick at the can as the team's 13th forward and maybe sneak into one game in the Stanley Cup Finals to ensure that he gets his name on the Cup as a player if the Leafs can do the thing? I suppose we'll have a clearer picture once Jarnkrok's number is announced. If he's donning #19, I'd say that probably puts my Spezza theory to bed.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 21 | 435 ANSWERS Jersey numbers for the newest additions in Toronto plus a few omissions, which could foreshadow some of the Leafs' plans Do you think Jason Spezza will sign one last deal at the deadline for the playoffs, much like what Justin Williams did with the Hurricanes a few years back? | ||
| Yes | 153 | 35.2 % |
| No | 171 | 39.3 % |
| I don't know, but I hope so | 111 | 25.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
