The Toronto Maple Leafs are embarking on a fresh chapter under the guidance of head coach Craig Berube, who took the helm in May 2024 following yet another premature playoff departure.
In a detailed article dated June 10, James Mirtle of The Athletic delves into an analysis of how the Maple Leafs ought to allocate their available funds during the upcoming offseason.
According to PuckPedia, the Leafs are estimated to have close to $20 million in cap space as they approach the NHL draft slated for June 28-29.
Based on the assumption that the Toronto Maple Leafs have around $20 million in cap space, James Mirtle suggests in his article that rather than splurging on a top-tier goaltender, the team should opt for a more budget-friendly approach and focus on creating a goaltending tandem with Joseph Woll.
Mirtle emphasizes the importance of being economical in the goaltending department as the top priority for the Leafs in the summer of 2024. He notes that there aren’t any standout number one goalies available in free agency, making it challenging for Toronto’s GM, Brad Treliving, to acquire players like Jacob Markstrom or Linus Ullmark from Calgary and Boston, respectively. Instead, Mirtle suggests considering someone like Laurent Brossoit as a suitable option to share goaltending duties with Joseph Woll, who the Leafs management holds in high regard.
Laurent Brossoit, currently with the Jets, has emerged as a potential target for the Leafs
as highlighted by Mirtle. However, Mirtle’s focus was primarily on outlining limitations rather than presenting numerous alternatives for the franchise’s course of action. Nevertheless, he did suggest Brossoit as a potential option.
Brossoit, who celebrated his 31st birthday in March 2024, is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Mirtle speculates that his next contract will likely be a short-term arrangement, estimating it to be in the vicinity of $3 million.
Dom Luszczyszyn and Jesse Granger from The Athletic estimate Brossoit’s value at $3.8 million. Meanwhile, Evolving-Hockey predicts a slightly lower contract, projecting that Brossoit could sign a three-year deal with an average annual value (AAV) of $3.3 million.
In 2024, Brossoit appeared in 23 games for the Jets, boasting a record of 15 wins, 5 losses, and 2 ties. He started 22 of these games, demonstrating a .927 save percentage and averaging 2.00 goals against. This marked the first occasion since 2020 that Brossoit participated in more than 21 games, a feat he has achieved only twice since making his debut in 2015.
After signing a bridge deal in July 2023 with Winnipeg, Brossoit, the experienced goaltender, has recently concluded a one-year contract worth $1.75 million, aiming to restore his market worth.
Insider Reports Suggest Leafs Interested in Calgary Flames‘ Jacob Markstrom
The Leafs have Joseph Woll under contract until the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, but they currently lack any other goaltender signed on. Whether they opt for a seasoned starter for the entirety of the season or a secondary goaltender to share duties with Woll, someone will inevitably be tasked with guarding Toronto’s net at some stage.
In a departure from Mirtle’s perspective, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman connected the Maple Leafs to Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom as a potential trade target on June 9.
“Toronto—and I understand deals between Toronto and Calgary can be complex—but the Toronto GM is the one who signed Markstrom in Calgary, and on paper, a Markstrom-[Joseph] Woll combination looks promising,” Friedman mentioned during the 32 Thoughts podcast on June 9. “So, considering that, I could see why a team like Toronto might be interested in that potential scenario.”
Markstrom is set to earn $6 million annually for the next two seasons. However, the Flames’ goaltender possesses a No-Move Clause in his contract, granting him the authority to veto any trade. Friedman suggested that Markstrom might consider waiving the clause for the Leafs, the New Jersey Devils, and the Ottawa Senators as potential destinations of choice.
“If the options are between trading for a goalie, particularly one with Markstrom’s contract, or signing a free agent with a higher salary, you’d gladly opt for Markstrom,” Friedman stated. “So, it’s understandable why there’s considerable interest in Markstrom, with New Jersey being the suspected frontrunner, and Toronto and Ottawa also in the mix.”
In the 2024 season, Markstrom played in 48 games (23-23-2), achieving a .905 save percentage and allowing an average of 2.78 goals per game.