The Toronto Maple Leafs only has five defensemen on their current roster under contract for next season with Jake Muzzin and Tyson Barrie scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency on July 1. That may be changing. The Toronto Sun’s Lance Hornby writes that the Maple Leafs and Muzzin are close to agreeing to a four-year contract, with many suggesting it will be in the $5.5MM range.
However, that deal may have to wait before it is official. There is a stipulation in the collective bargaining agreement that might force Toronto to wait until Mar. 1 when the ceiling for money allocated towards next season’s salary cap increases, according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston, Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada.
“You can only commit so much salary to the season following the one you’re in, but that amount goes up by 10 per cent on March 1,” Johnston said. “So it does seem as though the Leafs and Jake Muzzin are on the path here to reaching a contract extension, but I wouldn’t be surprised if everything isn’t signed, sealed and delivered until after that date.”
There has been speculation for weeks on which free-agent, Toronto should focus on with Muzzin being the likely candidate, but the blueliner will turn 31 years old in five days and there was concern about giving Muzzin, a player who wears two knee braces and has had back surgery earlier in his career, a long-term deal. Even four years would take Muzzin into his age 35 year. However, if the AAV is close to the rumored $5.5MM, then it is only a $1.5MM raise, which the team should be able to afford.
Regardless, Muzzin has been a steady defensive influence for a team that desperately needs it. He has just four goals and 16 points on the season, but carries a plus-six rating, while averaging 21:37 of ice time for Toronto. He also has 101 hits and 86 blocked shots, making him a well-rounded defenseman that Toronto needs on the ice.
Seems fair.
Too long for Muzzin but the Leafs are desperate.
4 years isn’t bad. By the end of those 4 years going to be a rebuilding team again anyways
Leafs have to push the limits if they want a Cup in Matthews prime window. If I had the reigns I would fire every shot I had as far as picks and money goes for the next few years.
You do realize Matthews “prime window” is probably another 10 years right? The kid is only 22
7 at most.
Ya but your not going to be able to afford the big 3 plus rielly and jt once the marner and Matthews contracts are in their final years. Leafs window is the next 3-4 years and should probably trade away assets and do a rebuild year or 2 after that so they don’t end up like the wings
if they were to acquire a Dumba let’s say, I’m not even sure that’s a lock Reilly stays long term. of he figures he could get 8 million on the market the leafs may deal him prior to hitting FA. this team has said it’s about cost certainty and if they can get a puck moving defenceman on the right side long term at a decent number, Reilly may price himself out of TO if Dubas really isn’t willing to move Nylander
yes BDT, right along the lines I was thinking. agree 100%
Too long
4 years at that price really isn’t that bad.
1. he will be 35 or 36 when that contract ends which isn’t horrible.
2. the contract likely will be front loaded like all leaf deals to make them easier to trade near the end of the contract of things don’t pan out.
3. with expansion and the potential for Olympic participation in 2022 (or at least a world cup of hockey type of event in 2023/2024, the cap is likely to see a bump over the next few seasons.
while I agree it would have been better to be at 5 or Lower, staying at that 4 year limit is key.
They only have 4 more yrs left until Matthews is free to walk to Arizona. So seems right for an older dman, when the team is desperate for capable defensemen.
Maybe too long,but way too much. Way way way too much. Stop trading pics and your back contracts for relief. Yes we have great forwards. You should have wedged in Marleau’s deal with Nasim. And taken less back. It’s obvious Barrie can’t play.
*BAD
And while I’m here,how come we can edit every comment on every site in the free world but this one?