Three potential candidates the Toronto Maple Leafs could benefit themselves by trading

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Chris Gerics
September 17, 2024 (8:57)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs need to give themselves a bit more cap space going into the 2024-2025 season, especially given the signings over the past few days.

The signings of Max Pacioretty, Nick Robertson, and Jani Hakanpaa haven't left Toronto with a lot of breathing room, but there are some options available.

Kevin Papetti, writer for The Athletic, put out a post on X that breaks down the three top candidates for the Maple Leafs to trade if they want to shed some salary:

Here's a breakdown of each of those options, and their likelihood to be traded; the individual's potential to be traded will be graded 1-5*; 1 being least likely and 5 being certain.

Trade Option #1: Timothy Liljegren (D)

Oh Timothy. Toronto had high hopes for the Swedish defender when the Maple Leafs drafted him 17th overall in 2017 but unfortunately he hasn't lived up to expectations. Touted as having skating ability similar to Erik Karlsson, the hope was that Toronto had found their next offensive juggernaut on the blue line, who could facilitate passes to the stars playing top minutes on the powerplay. But with just 65 points in 196 games, Liljegren has looked lost at times on the ice, and his defensive metrics don't help the Maple Leafs, nor Liljegren's reputation. He signed a two-year extension worth $2.8M in 2022-2023, and his value as a salary dump much outweighs his value on the ice, especially with the Maple Leafs signing a bevy of defensemen this offseason.

I look to see Liljegren suiting up in a different jersey this season, but not until the trade deadline.

Trade Potential - 4 stars

Trade Option #2: Calle Jarnkrok (LW/RW)

Calle Jarnkrok has been a solid, if unspectacular player for the Maple Leafs since signing with Toronto in 2022. After putting up a resepctable 20 goal season in his first year with the club, he regressed heavily in 2023-24, only scoring 10 goals in 56 games but was beset by injuries at the end of the season. He enjoyed an 8-year stretch with the Nashville Predators and averaged nearly 12 goals and over 26 points while playing roughly only about 15 minutes per night; showing that he can be relied on to score but does his $2.1M contract merit it? Some writers like Nick Alberga believe he can bring a boost to the Maple Leafs however, with his current cost and the emergence of Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten, and with Max Pacioretty and Nick Robertson in the fold; it feels like Jarnkrok doesn't have much of a spot.

I don't see Jarnkrok playing big minutes for the club, but with his goal scoring ability and forechecking acumen play well to a bottom six position, and though he could be traded, I could see Jarnkrok being able to find minutes under head coach Craig Berube.

Trade Potential - 2 stars 1/2

Trade Option #3: David Kampf (C/W)

Kampf is a clear candidate to be traded; he's unfortunately expendable given the now logjam with Max Pacioretty, Steven Lorentz (who can do the same thing Kampf can), rookies Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten, and Nick Robertson being in the fold; where does Kampf fit? He's certainly an asset on the PK and he's a solid defensive forward however his role is one Toronto can fill internally, and at a much lower cost. Since coming over to the Maple Leafs after leaving Chicago, he has improved his offensive output but at the cost of $2.4M, that leaves a lot to be desired. Jonathan Drouin signed for nearly the same amount this offseason with the Avalanche, and has much more offensive upside than Kampf; it feels like such an overpayment. The emergence of Fraser Minten as NHL ready, and Easton Cowan not far behind him; Kampf is left out in the cold.

I can see Kampf being traded before the start of the season, as Toronto has the forwards they need and he's an expendable asset to ease a salary cap crunch.

Trade Potential - 5 stars