Reporter suggests that the Leafs and Isles could make fantastic trade partners, mentions Jake Muzzin by name
The salary cap seems to be the primary focus when discussing the Toronto Maple Leafs, but they always find ways to make it all fit. While the Buds have yet to put together a winning formula in the postseason, their consistent improvements and tightening up year over year provides plenty of hope for the season ahead - especially if they can continue to improve and perhaps even challenge for the Presidents Trophy in 2022-23.
The Leafs have a bit of a log jam on the left side of the blueline currently, but The Athletic's James Mirtle floated a couple of interesting ideas on The Leaf Report that involve moving Jake Muzzin and his $5.6M cap hit. One involves bringing in a goaltender and the other involves shoring up the right side of the blueline. Both deals feature the same team. The New York Islanders.
The Isles are certainly going to be looking at making some changes this summer after a very disappointing season that saw the club miss the playoffs after making an Eastern Conference Finals appearance just a year ago. Mirtle believes that Semyon Varlamov or Scott Mayfield could fit very well in Toronto.
With Varlamov set to earn $5M next season, moving Muzzin for Varly isn't going to save the Leafs much cap space, but it would certainly fill a need for the Buds if Jack Campbell departs via free agency. Add to that the fact that Isles GM Lou Lamoriello loves his veterans, and Muzzin could make for an interesting piece in Long Island.
Mayfield, on the other hand, would save the Leafs a significant amount of cap space, as he is set to earn just $1.45M next season. Mayfield isn't going to replace Muzzin's offensive production by any stretch of the imagination, but he will certainly bring the same level of physicality to the table for the Leafs. Not to mention the fact that he's also several years younger.
The only issue here is that Muzzin has a no-movement clause until next summer that he would have to willingly waive, and there's no guarantees that he'd do that. This summer is going to be an interesting one to say the least.
| POLL | ||
MAI 25 | 324 ANSWERS Reporter suggests that the Leafs and Isles could make fantastic trade partners, mentions Jake Muzzin by name Will the Leafs be able to offload Jake Muzzin this summer? | ||
| Yes | 198 | 61.1 % |
| No | 126 | 38.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
