How much money Toronto Maple Leafs stars are expected to sign for this summer
If there’s one reason that the Toronto Maple Leafs have been succeeding so far on their playoff run, they’ve been able to cash in at the right time.
For a team that’s historically struggled to score in the playoffs in big moments, they’re suddenly now 10 wins away from winning a Stanley Cup.
Sure, it’s still a little more than halfway there, but for a team that hasn’t strung together six playoff wins in a single year since 2004, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate in Toronto.
One thing that fans probably won’t be all too thrilled with is the team’s upcoming offseason, with key stars Mitch Marner and John Tavares both up for new contracts this summer, and potentially doing a little cashing in of their own.
While both players have publicly stated a desire to stay in Toronto, Tavares’ departure from the New York Islanders to the Leafs back in 2018 has shown that no word means much in the NHL until a contract is signed.
Trying to figure out what types of contracts each player will sign for is often a futile endeavour, with NHL front offices, players, and their agents often throwing in complete wildcards to any sense of predictability.
But thankfully, there are a few resources we can tap into to check out what Marner, Tavares, and other key Leafs free agents are set to make this summer.
AFP Analytics’ contract projections weigh a model based on historical examples and comparable players around the league to estimate what each player will make this offseason on their next contract.
Matthew Knies (RFA): seven years, US$7,222,983 OR two years, US$4,178,125.00
Steven Lorentz: two years, US$1,448,229
Mitch Marner: seven years, US$12,952,528
Max Pacioretty: one year, US$920,620
Nicholas Robertson (RFA): two years, US$1,556,650
John Tavares: three years, US$7,939,870
Marner’s contract coming in at upwards of US$90 million is a pill the Leafs might just have to swallow, particularly after arguably his strongest playoff performance yet. Meanwhile, the Leafs are in an interesting spot with pending restricted free agent Matthew Knies, who they will have to determine if he’s better suited for a long-term contract or a bridge deal while paying out big on players like Marner, Auston Matthews, and William Nylander.
By the AFP model, Dakota Mermis, Matt Murray, Alexander Nylander, and Alex Steeves were all projected to sign at one year, US$775,000, or league minimum for next season.
While the Leafs still have several playoff games — and maybe a few more playoff rounds — left before they’ll hit the negotiation table, you can bet it’s at least in the back of the front office’s mind as they watch the team play thus far.
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