Say Goodbye Engvall
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager, Kyle Dubas, continues to deliver a master class in asset management on the world's largest hockey stage.
Since Kyle Dubas has become general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs fans have witnessed the team use their pending UFA's as "own rentals".
What this means is that instead of foolishly trading these guys for assets, the Leafs prefer to hold on to them for deep playoff runs every year.
It's the process that matters, not the results.
Studs'n'Duds
The Toronto Maple Leafs believe hockey is a strong link game, meaning a few stud elite players drive results, while the vast majority are just replaceable duds that don't sell jersey's.
With this unproven theory as the basis of his entire philosophy, Kyle Dubas employs a Studs'n'Duds roster building approach.
The result of this is that four core forwards take up half the cap space of the team, leaving the other nineteen duds to split the rest. (CapFriendly)
This means every offseason the good mid-range players that come due for a raise are jettisoned into free agency.
Headed for greener pastures.
Say Goodbye Everyone
This year the Leafs have a whopping eight unrestricted free agents to go along with three or four restricted free agents.
With the cap expected to rise by only $1M next year there's clearly no way the Toronto Maple Leafs can re-sign all these guys.
To compound matters even more, two time Rocket Richard Trophy winner and reigning MVP, Auston Matthews, along with superstar William Nylander, need to have their contracts renewed soon before they hit the UFA market.
The Leafs have made sure to clear the books by only having four players signed for the 2024/25 season.
So say goodbye to all the good players who just want to earn what they are worth. Expect Kyle Dubas to replace them with whatever clunkers he can pull off the scrap heap again. It's worked so well every other year.
Another master class in asset management, Kyle Dubas style.
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