![]() ![]() The results haven’t been anywhere near good enough to rule anything out since Tavares became a Leaf in 2018. (Tavares’ contract, the size especially and also the control he exerts with a full no-movement clause, makes the prospect of trading him almost impossible. Now more than ever, it’s hard to justify not even exploring the possibility of a trade involving one of Marner or Nylander. There’s also Shanahan’s public suggestion that, “We will not be making changes just simply for the sake of saying we made changes.” We have Chris Johnston’s interesting report, however, that Matthews, Marner, Nylander and John Tavares were all told privately by team president Brendan Shanahan that they were likely sticking around. If there is going to be a trade then, draft week might be the time to do it. The Leafs GM should have a pretty good idea by now of what it’s going to take to sign Nylander, and whether he wants to do it. Were Treliving to try and fail to extend Nylander, who, like Matthews, becomes extension-eligible on July 1, it’s possible he pivots and attempts a trade. The Leafs could still trade one of those stars after that, but it’s less likely when the pool of options conceivably shrinks - perhaps even to none. On that day, no-movement clauses take effect in Auston Matthews’ and Mitch Marner’s contracts and William Nylander can cross 10 teams off his list of trade destinations. A rough start for the Leafs next fall and questions about Keefe’s job security will take off, just like they did last fall when Keefe was asked, after the 10th game of the season, about his job being on the line.īringing Keefe back wouldn’t seem quite as notable were the Leafs making substantial change at the top of the roster after a seventh straight playoff failure, the prospect of which becomes less and less likely as July 1 nears and the stars gain more control over their futures. The only remaining question is whether Treliving will extend Keefe’s expiring contract - and if so, for how long.ĭoes the Leafs GM simply tack on a year in what would look a lot like only a token show of faith? Or does he make a more meaningful commitment to the coach he didn’t hire, one that would stamp out any questions about Keefe’s future? Is ownership willing to make that kind of financial commitment to Keefe now that Mike Babcock’s eight-year deal is finally about come to an end?Ī one-year extension probably wouldn’t do much to alter the perception of Keefe’s status. The fact that Brad Treliving, Dubas’ replacement as GM, has been interviewing assistant coaching candidates to replace Spencer Carbery means that Keefe is indeed coming back next season. More than a month later, only Dubas is gone and it’s looking likelier than not that the Leafs may be (mostly) running it all back again. ![]()
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