Leafs' list of ''untouchables'' reportedly a very short one
As we approach July's NHL Entry Draft and free agent frenzy, there are more questions than answers as to what to expect from the Leafs this summer. GM Kyle Dubas and President Brendan Shanahan have doubled down on "the process" and appear to have the full support of ownership, so it's unlikely that any moves will be made at the upper management level. As for the coaching staff, well, we already know that Sheldon Keefe has received a huge vote of confidence from Dubas and Shanny after a franchise record season. So at this point, any moves that will happen will likely be at the locker room level.
The Athletic has reported this week that the Leafs' list of untouchables includes just three players; Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and Morgan Rielly. Now, that doesn't mean that anyone outside of those 3 players are currently on the trading block. It just means that the Leafs, if the deal was right, would consider trading any other player on the roster.
I find it interesting that Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren's names are not included on that list, given that they are widely viewed as the team's future on the blueline. I could see a scenario in which the Leafs might entertain trading one of them in a package deal for the right piece coming back - perhaps in a deal for a starting goaltender. John Gibson and Carter Hart come to mind as options. Hart is especially interesting considering how young he is and what his ceiling as a goaltender is. Further to that, Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher had already announced this season that Carter Hart was not one of his team's untouchable players.
The Leafs have no shortage of options available to them this summer. Whether it be Sandin, Liljegren, Nylander, Muzzin, Kerfoot - any number of guys could be on the move in an attempt to find a winning formula in the postseason. It could be that the Leafs do what they did last season and just make minor moves to tinker around the edges, or it could be that the Leafs are preparing for a higher profile move. With their list of untouchables being such a small one, literally anything could happen.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 1 | 332 ANSWERS Leafs' list of ''untouchables'' reportedly a very short one Should the Leafs be including Sandin and Liljegren on their list of untouchables? | ||
| Yes | 120 | 36.1 % |
| No | 102 | 30.7 % |
| Any player is moveable for the right price | 110 | 33.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
