The Toronto Maple Leafs are potentially eyeing a significant addition to their roster in the form of a $3 million-AAV scorer from the Florida Panthers, as the Panthers face a salary cap crunch after their recent Stanley Cup victories. With Mitch Marner's departure, the Leafs are actively seeking to reshape their forward lines, prioritizing goal-scoring prowess.
Florida's Cap Conundrum
Fresh off back-to-back Stanley Cup wins, the Florida Panthers are grappling with a tight salary cap situation. General Manager Bill Zito successfully re-signed key players like Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad, but these moves have pushed the team over the salary cap. The Panthers are reportedly $3.725 million over the cap. While teams can exceed the cap by 10% during the offseason, they must be cap-compliant by the start of the regular season.
To alleviate this pressure, the Panthers may need to part ways with valuable players. One player frequently mentioned as a potential trade candidate is Evan Rodrigues, a versatile forward with a $3 million cap hit for the next two seasons. Rodrigues has been a key contributor to the Panthers' success, providing secondary scoring and valuable playoff performances. In the most recent postseason, he tallied 15 points in 21 games.
Maple Leafs' Pursuit of Scoring
The Toronto Maple Leafs, under General Manager Brad Treliving, are actively exploring trade options to revamp their roster following Mitch Marner's exit. Treliving seems committed to transforming the Leafs into a more balanced and goal-heavy team. The Leafs have a projected cap hit of approximately $69.79 million, leaving them with about $25.71 million in projected cap space. This provides some flexibility to add a player like Rodrigues.
One potential trade target that has emerged is Owen Tippett, with rumors linking him to the Maple Leafs. However, the latest speculation suggests the Leafs may also be interested in acquiring Evan Rodrigues from the Panthers. Toronto has been seeking an offensive leader on their blue line for years.
Rodrigues as a Fit for Toronto
Evan Rodrigues could be a valuable addition to the Maple Leafs, providing versatility and scoring depth. The 32-year-old can play both center and wing, offering flexibility in the lineup. His $3 million cap hit would fit within Toronto's available cap space. Given the Leafs' need for more goal-scoring, Rodrigues could be a key contributor in the middle-six forward group.
Other Considerations for the Maple Leafs
While Rodrigues is a potential target, the Maple Leafs are also exploring other options to bolster their roster. There have been reports of interest in players like Dougie Hamilton to upgrade the blue line. The Leafs have also been mentioned as a possible destination for Erik Karlsson.
The Maple Leafs have a few players that other teams may be interested in. Names like Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf have also been floated. Morgan Reilly has also been mentioned in trade discussions.
Ultimately, whether the Maple Leafs can land a $3 million scorer from the Panthers remains to be seen. However, the circumstances in both Toronto and Florida suggest a potential fit.
