Summary

Number of UFA Forwards as of July 1, 2009: 5 (Devereaux, Hamilton, May, Ondrus and Newbury)

Number of RFA Forwards as of July 1, 2009: 5 (Grabovski, Deveaux, Hollweg, Stapleton and Williams)

NHL Cap Hit coming off the books: 2.99M (Devereaux, Hamilton, May, Grabovski, Ondrus)

NHL Cap Hit going on the books: Estimated 4.00M (Grabovski, Devereaux, Williams and Ondrus)

Estimated Cap difference: +1.01M

Analysis

Of the 5 Unrestricted Free Agent Forwards we believe that perhaps 2 of Devereaux, Ondrus or Hamilton will be signed to 2 way contracts, Brad May will most likely retire at the end of this season and Newbury will likely either move on or sign a minor league deal with the Marlies.

Of the 5 Restricted Free Agents we believe that Grabovski is a lock to get resigned unless there is an impasse regarding salary numbers and Jeremy Williams will likely get a contract as well. Hollweg seems to have found his way out of the lineup and into the minors on a permanent basis and will likely remain there either with the Marlies or another team. Stapleton and Deveaux are likely to remain Marlies or move to another team as well with no NHL contract offers headed their way.

2009-2010 Forward Outlook

LRT sees a forward compliment that remains pretty much the same as it is now with Jiri Tlusty and Jeremy Williams finding more permanent roles with the team. Devereaux and Ondrus will play their usual fill in roles along with a couple of free agent signings or trades in the off season, to make up the rest of the roster.

Summary

Number of UFA Defensemen as of July 1, 2009: 1 (Heward)

Number of RFA Defensemen as of July 1, 2009: 2 (Oreskovic and Sifers)

NHL Cap Hit coming off the books: 0.00M

NHL Cap Hit going on the books: Estimated +0.00M - 0.50M (resignings)

Analysis

Obviously Jamie Heward was acquired as a way to grab that extra 4th round pick in exchange for taking on some salary. The 37 year old minor league defensemen isn't in the team's long term plans and as a result will not be offered a contract. We can expect both Jamie Sifers and Phil Oreskovic to re-sign with the team on small 2 way contracts. Sifers has played well when called upon this season while Oreskovic is getting a look with the big club before season's end and appears to fit the Brian Burke mold of size, toughness and defensively sound play. They will most likely start the season (or off season) with the Marlies but may find their way into the lineup if trades occur involving either Pavel Kubina or Tomas Kaberle. Both Kaberle and Kubina lose their no trade clauses at season's end provided the Leafs don't make the playoffs with the trade clauses kicking in again at the start of the 2009-2010 season.

2009-2010 Defensemen Outlook

We should see a similar blue line again next season unless either or both of Kaberle and Kubina are moved. It would be nice to see a full season next year from oft-injured Mike Van Ryn and hopefully some more progress from a sophomore Luke Schenn. If however Kaberle and Kubina are traded we are likely to see Anton Stralman in a more prominent role with the big club, especially on the powerplay.

Summary

Number of UFA Goaltenders as of July 1, 2009: 3 (Gerber, Joseph and Kolzig)

Number of RFA Goaltenders as of July 1, 2009: 1 (Pogge)

NHL Cap Hit coming off the books: 5.05M (Joesph, Kolzig and Gerber)

NHL Cap Hit going on the books: Estimated 1.00M (Pogge or Gerber)

Estimated Cap difference: -4.05M

Analysis

As with Jamie Heward, Olaf Kolzig was acquired as a way to obtain that extra 4th round pick in exchange for taking on some salary and is expected to retire at season's end as is Curtis Joseph. Martin Gerber was picked up off waivers at the deadline mainly as a stop gap measure to allow Vesa Toskala to get the surgery he required before season's end so he would be ready for training camp next season. However if he plays well, accepts a backup role and doesn't demand too much money he may well find himself the #2 next year behind Toskala. As for Pogge, it would appear the plan that the Leafs had in place to evaluate him as an NHL goalie has come to an end. The acquisition of Gerber seems to send a clear message that Leafs Management doesn't feel Pogge is an NHL caliber goaltender yet. It is likely that they will offer the 22 year old net minder a short, 2 way contract and have him start the season with the Marlies again next year, or if Gerber does not resign he may find himself in the backup role behind a healthy Vesa Toskala.

2009-2010 Goaltender Outlook

We expect (and hope) that, next season, a healthy Vesa Toskala will provide the caliber of goaltending we all expect from him next season. It will also be a contract season for him meaning that he will be playing for a new contract which usually translates into success on the ice for most players. It is likely that come the trade deadline next season the Leafs will look at where they are in their rebuilding process and if it still seems a long way off we believe Vesa might find himself shopped to the highest bidder for prospects and draft picks. The only real question in goal for the Leafs will be who will back up Toskala but in the grand scheme of things it shouldn't make that much of a difference.