The summer of (possibly large, or possibly none at all) change is upon us in Toronto after another disappointing playoff exit. At least this year’s dismissal came in the second round, but a five-game elimination to the paws of the second-wild-card Panthers left the same feeling of disbelief.
As we’ve outlined over the weekend in a long list of 42 thoughts from Luke Fox on what all this means and what could be next, and then a closer look at the seven most important contract situations on the team, this is a massively important summer for the Leafs. Whether meaningful changes come to the core or not, the team has several pending UFAs, and then all of the Core Four will have expiring deals within the next two years. The team would have been facing critical roster decisions even without the latest failure factored in.
On Monday the Maple Leafs players and the GM who assembled them spoke to the media for the final time before they set off on their summer and, who knows, perhaps new teams.
But fans want to know, what are each of their intentions from here? Does anyone want to move on, or is anything trending that way? Do they still believe in this group, or think something needs to change?
Here are what the core Maple Leafs players and the GM said about what they thought about their place on the team going forward from here.
RYAN O’REILLY
A pending UFA, O’Reilly arrived at the trade deadline with a miniscule $1.875 million cap hit after double retention. He made $7.5 million in AAV at full value on his last contract, but he’s also a local with family ties in the area. So does O’Reilly want to go or would he consider taking a hometown discount to chase the Cup here?
“I’m still reflecting on a loss and coming forward here I’ve got a lot to think about, what I plan to do. But this organization is incredible. You guys see the players they have and such, but the people they have in the organization, every facet that’s looked after, the strength team, the nutrition, everyone on the staff is just incredible and the best at what they do. Such an amazing place that I’m so thankful I was brought into it. Obviously sorry we couldn’t get the result we wanted, but just to be part of this organization was an amazing thing and, ya, I’ll have some decisions to make going forward.
“I honestly am still reflecting on the season and such right now, last series and such, that I haven’t given it much thought. But once I turn the page here, hopefully in a couple weeks, that’s when I’ll get in that mindset. As of right now, I haven’t given it too much thought yet.”
JOHN TAVARES
Team captain and the local kid who did choose to sign here as an unrestricted free agent in 2018, Tavares still has two years left on his $11 million AAV contract, and with a full no-movement clause he’s completely in control of his destiny with the team. He made no indication that he would be involved in changing the core.
“I love it here. Obviously I made a commitment here for seven years to be a Leaf and I want to be here. That’s how I feel. I love being captain and take that responsibility very seriously and feel really fortunate and still feel there’s a tremendous opportunity for our team here in the near future and in the long run.”
MICHAEL BUNTING
A pending UFA who recorded two 23-goal seasons in Toronto after signing as a value UFA for less than a million bucks, Bunting is an interesting case in that he’s a grinder who can play in the top six, but whose play on the edge is also beginning to hurt his reputation. He’ll get a raise given his full-time production, so there’s no telling how, or if, he’ll fit into the salary structure from here. Bunting said he didn’t have contract discussions with the team this season.
“This is the unfortunate part of this business when contracts are up. To be honest I haven’t really thought about it. I’ll let my agent handle that stuff and be ready to make a decision when the time comes. That being said, coming home to play in Toronto was a dream of mine since I was a kid, to play for this team and put the jersey over my head. It’s been pretty special to play here and it’s been even more special meeting this group of guys.”
“This is definitely the closest team I’ve ever been on.”
AUSTON MATTHEWS
Everything starts from here. Matthews didn’t manage to score against the Florida Panthers, but you can’t say he didn’t get his looks. He’s the highest-paid player on the team, the most important, and with one year left on his contract, he’s eligible to re-sign on July 1. That day, however, is also when a full no-movement clause is added to his current contract. So what did the two-time Rocket Richard and one-time Hart Trophy winner say about his future in Toronto?
“My intention is to be here. I think I’ve reciprocated that before, how much I enjoy playing here and what it means to me and the organization, my teammates and how much I just enjoy being here.”
“I think it’s important and it will work itself out in due time and just go from there. As far as everything else goes, like I’ve said before, I really do enjoy playing here and it’s a true honour. The work we’re putting in to continue to strive for that end result is extremely motivating.”
MITCH MARNER
A $10.903 million player, though Marner did lead the team in playoff scoring, 10 of his 14 points came in the first four games of the Tampa Bay series. An assistant captain, homegrown and drafted player, Marner has two years left on his contract, so there’s still some team control ahead. However, a key factor for Marner’s future is the fact that his contract has a full no-move protection clause that kicks in on July 1.
“I think that’s above me. I can’t control any of that. We’ll see what happens. Like I’ve said, I’ve been very fortunate to play for this team and I want to continue to play for this team and hope I get to play with this team. It’s all I’ve ever dreamed of as a kid and to be able to do it now is pretty surreal, so hopefully I get to continue that honour on and be with this squad.”
WILLIAM NYLANDER
Nylander has one year left on his contract and will have a modified no-trade clause added on to his deal July 1, after which he can decline a move to 10 specified teams. Nylander makes the least against the cap of the Core Four ($6.962 million). When Nylander’s entry-level deal expired in 2018, negotiations went on into the regular season and were not resolved until Dec. 1. The next time he comes up, though, he will be a UFA, free to walk to a team of his choosing.
“Look I love it here. I don’t want to be anywhere else. This is where I want to win and I want us to give it a go as long as we can.
“I have a full year (left on the contract) and obviously I want to stay here and it would be nice if we could sort that out. But the season just ended and I’m not really too focused on that. I just want to come back here for next year and be ready to go.”
KYLE DUBAS
For all the focus on what will happen with the core of players on this team, it’s time to also include a core member of the management team, GM Kyle Dubas, who is the chief architect of this era. Dubas has no contract beyond this season, so his tenure with the Leafs could come to an end through either his choice, or the team’s. Here’s what Dubas had to say about where his head is at with the Leafs.
“It requires me to have a full family discussion. My family is a hugely important part of what I do, so for me to commit to anything without having a fuller understanding of what this year took on them is probably unfair for me to answer where I’m at. I wish I could give you more, but we haven’t been able to have those full discussions yet. But it was a very hard year on them.
“What I would say is I definitely don’t have it in me to go anywhere else, so it’ll either be here, or it’ll be taking time to recalibrate, reflect on the seasons here, but you won’t see me next week pop up elsewhere. “I can’t put them through that after this year.”
