The arbitrator awarded Samsonov $3.55 million next year. While this is higher than the Leafs may have hoped for, it was almost the midpoint from what they originally started at ($2.5 million) prior to the hearing.
Being $12 million over the cap spells trouble for Treliving, as he certainly can't start the season with the current roster formation. Most suspect that goaltender Matt Murray will be placed on LTIR, giving them a little more leeway, but would still not be enough to be cap-compliant.
If defenceman Jake Muzzin is still on LTIR, that pulls the Leafs a little closer to compliance.
As training camp looms, and teams smell blood in the water for the Leafs, a deal to move someone for cap space will only become more difficult. Either way, we can be certain that the Leafs' roster will look different come October.
As Read on Hawks Insider - "Toronto Maple Leafs in Serious Cap Debt After Their Recent Announcement"
POLL | ||
JUILLET 24 | 2686 ANSWERS Maple Leafs in Serious Trouble After Recent Announcement Will Matt Murray be a Leaf come October? | ||
Yes | 311 | 11.6 % |
No | 2375 | 88.4 % |
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