With Giordano signed, the Leafs will need to move out a body on the blueline; here are some options
The Leafs made their first splash of the offseason on Sunday, announcing a two-year extension for veteran blueliner and former Norris Trophy winner Mark Giordano, worth a total of $1.6M, an $800,000 AAV. With Giordano back in the fold, it creates a bit of a log jam for the Leafs on the blueline, so it would make sense that a move of some significance is coming.
As a result of the Giordano extension, the Leafs have a few options available to them on the back end, each with its own unique set of circumstances and a wide range of potential returns. The three main ones involve Justin Holl, Jake Muzzin and Rasmus Sandin.
Giordano, being a left shot defenseman, likely pushes another LD out. With Rielly, Muzzin, Giordano and Sandin all playing the left side, one will almost certainly have to move. It's not going to be Rielly, who just signed a $60M extension in October, so that leaves Muzzin and Sandin.
Sandin, a restricted free agent, is not going to count for a lot against the cap, and with the Leafs' core being as young as it is, it makes far less sense than it would to trade Jake Muzzin and his $5.625M cap hit for two more seasons. The problem is, Muzzin is beloved in the locker room and is the Leafs' conscience on the blueline. With Giordano coming back, he could certainly take over in that role, and the Leafs freeing up over $5.6M could be massive.
The problem with moving Muzzin is that his contract contains a full no-move clause until next summer, so the Woodstock, ON native would have to waive in order for the Leafs to move him this summer. The question is, would he be willing to waive his NMC to go back to Los Angeles? The Leafs would be bent over the barrel if they were dealing with only one team, but at least they'd free up $5.6M in cap space. In order to move Muzzin though, GM Kyle Dubas would almost certainly have to attach an alluring prospect to Muzzin in the deal - or, like we saw in the Patrick Marleau trade to the Hurricanes, a first round pick.
Justin Holl does not play on the left side, but he did spend a good chunk of last season as the Leafs' 7th defenseman. Holl is entering the final year of his contract and won't save the Leafs a lot if they move him, earning just $2M. That said, there's not much use in having a $2M 7th defenseman, when a league-minimum option can do the job.
Holl is an interesting one in that he has some experience as a top-4 defenseman and the Leafs could move him for a draft pick at this year's draft, giving them some additional draft capital. The Leafs currently have just 3 picks in this year's draft; their 1st rounder, Winnipeg's 3rd rounder and their own 7th rounder. Might they be able to move Holl to a team in need of a right shot defenseman for, say, another 3rd rounder? Maybe even as high as a low 2nd rounder?
If we're looking outside the box, perhaps the Leafs can even use Rasmus Sandin as a blue chip prospect in a deal for a significant upgrade at either defense or at another position, like a legit top-six winger or a new starting goaltender should Campbell walk in free agency.
Time will tell how this all unfolds, but the Leafs do not have any shortage of options available to them. I'm intrigued to see what Kyle Dubas and company have in store.
| POLL | ||
MAI 23 | 762 ANSWERS With Giordano signed, the Leafs will need to move out a body on the blueline; here are some options Which defender will the Leafs trade to make room for Giordano? | ||
| Muzzin | 162 | 21.3 % |
| Sandin | 50 | 6.6 % |
| Holl | 499 | 65.5 % |
| Other | 51 | 6.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
