Chris Johnston, an NHL insider and analyst, views the Toronto Maple Leafs’ recent signing of Chris Tanev to a six-year, $27 million deal as a risky move. Despite Tanev being among the top free agents available, Johnston points out concerns due to Tanev’s age—he is currently 34 years old and will turn 35 in December—and a history of injuries.
“The contract is lengthy and carries risks. However, he was precisely the type of player the Leafs needed and one who was available,” Johnston commented on The Chris Johnston Show on July 4th. He emphasized that while the deal is favorable in the short term assuming Tanev remains healthy, there are inherent risks given his age and injury-prone past.
Toronto structured the six-year deal to manage Tanev’s yearly salary, though the potential for injury, based on his history, could pose long-term challenges for the team.
Tanev brings extensive experience to the Maple Leafs, having played 792 regular-season games and accumulated 190 points (33 goals, 157 assists). Known primarily for his defensive prowess and shot-blocking abilities, he is expected to partner with Morgan Reilly on the top defensive pairing, a role that DailyFaceoff.com’s projections support.
Maple Leafs GM Treliving praised Tanev’s defensive acumen, highlighting him as an elite defensive player who anticipates and reads the game well on the defensive end, similar to how offensive players foresee plays on offense.
While the Maple Leafs have addressed a crucial need with Tanev’s signing, particularly enhancing their defensive lineup, the contract’s duration and Tanev’s age and injury history present significant risks that could impact the team’s long-term plans.
Insider Says Maple Leafs ‘Would Look’ at Trading 3 Players
According to NHL insider Chris Johnston, the Toronto Maple Leafs are prepared to trade three players in order to alleviate salary cap constraints and enhance their team. Currently, the Maple Leafs exceed the salary cap by $1.5 million, as reported by CapFriendly, which includes the contract of Jani Hakanpaa, pending due to injury concerns.
Johnston reports that Toronto is willing to explore trades involving Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf, and Timothy Liljegren to free up cap space. However, Johnston clarifies that this does not imply a desire to offload these players at any cost, but rather reflects the Leafs’ tight salary cap situation. As Johnston mentioned on The Chris Johnston Show on July 4th, Toronto’s defensive lineup has already undergone changes, and they have made moves in goaltending, but creative maneuvers are necessary to address potential changes in their forward lineup.
“These players could potentially be available, but there are no imminent deals expected,” Johnston stated. “Entering the offseason, the Leafs were open-minded about these possibilities. The contracts of these players reflect their roles and contributions to the team. If Toronto can upgrade by trading them and creating cap space, they would consider doing so.”
Calle Jarnkrok has two years remaining on his contract, earning $2.1 million annually. Similarly, David Kampf also has two years left on his deal with an annual salary of $2.4 million.
Timothy Liljegren, the only defenseman mentioned in the trade discussions, recently signed a new two-year contract worth $3 million per season. Despite the extension, Liljegren had been subject to trade rumors before committing to Toronto. Following his signing, he expressed his enthusiasm about staying with the Maple Leafs, emphasizing his desire to contribute and his progress despite injury setbacks.
“I’m excited about staying in Toronto,” Liljegren remarked to the media. “It was always my goal to play here, and I’m glad we reached an agreement. The negotiations were straightforward.”
During the 2023-24 season, Liljegren contributed 23 points (3 goals, 20 assists) in 55 games for the Maple Leafs.
Regarding Jarnkrok and Kampf, if they remain with the team, both are expected to fulfill bottom-six roles. Jarnkrok is projected to serve as the third-line right winger by DailyFaceoff.com, also earning time on the second power-play unit and second penalty kill. In the previous season, he recorded 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 52 games.
Meanwhile, Kampf is slated as the fourth-line center and a key contributor on the penalty kill due to his strong defensive abilities. Last season, he registered 19 points (8 goals, 11 assists) across 78 games for the Maple Leafs.
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