Check out the latest on the Leafs and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill
WHO SHOULD THE LEAFS SIGN NEXT?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau looked at which players the Toronto Maple Leafs should sign next after inking Jack McCabe to a five-year extension.
Proteau believes Matthew Knies is part of the Leafs’ long-term future. The 22-year-old forward is off to a strong start this season. He carries an average annual value of $925K and will get a significant raise on his next contract.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies (NHL Images).
Former captain John Tavares knows people expect him to accept a significant pay cut from his current $11 million AAV to stay in Toronto. Proteau believes the 34-year-old center still has value under the right circumstances, suggesting a $6 million AAV on a two or three-year deal.
Proteau suggests the Leafs should consider moving on from Mitch Marner if he wants more than $11 million annually, citing his lack of playoff success. He thinks Leafs general manager Brad Treliving could feel pressure to get something for Marner in the trade market if his contract price is too high.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Knies is in the final season of his entry-level contract so the Leafs hold all the leverage unless he signs an offer sheet with a rival club or stages a holdout. Treliving will likely want to avoid those scenarios, especially if Knies maintains his strong performance throughout this campaign. He could get a bridge deal as Proteau suggests to between $5 million and $6 million but Treliving could also attempt to lock him up on a longer term.
Tavares wants to finish his career with the Leafs. He could accept between $5 million and $6 million annually on a two or three-year deal.
Marner currently carries an AAV of $10.9 million and probably won’t accept less than William Nylander’s $11.5 million. He also has a full no-movement clause and shows no intention of waiving it. As Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos recently observed, the Leafs can either re-sign Marner or treat him as a playoff rental for this season and watch him depart in next summer’s unrestricted free-agent market.
LATEST ON THE CANADIENS
SPORTSNET: During the Oct. 28 edition of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman mentioned the Montreal Canadiens are seeking a forward who plays with an edge and a right-shot defenseman.
Friedman mentioned San Jose Sharks defenseman Matt Benning. However, the Canadiens would prefer a player on an expiring contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens are reportedly conducting due diligence to see which players are available in the trade market. It’s unknown if Benning is among them. There’s no trade activity right now and it’s believed the Canadiens have no deals in the works.
Benning, 30, is signed through 2025-26 with an AAV of $1.25 million. That affordable cap hit could make him a worthwhile trade target despite the extra year on his contract.