Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs can get themselves a couple of cheap additions at the deadline if they use Chris Tanev’s LTIR surplus to take on a contract — with a catch that could come back to bite them if they aren’t proactive in making other deals as well.
Tanev’s $3.8-million contract hit wouldn’t count against the books and it gives Toronto a lot more flexibility to make a couple deals to add some cheap pieces, like defenseman Mario Ferraro and bottom-six forward Max Sasson to fill holes left by departing players.
Tanev, 36, is sitting on LTIR with no clear path back on the ice. Out with an injury since late December, the veteran has essentially been injured 90% of the season — only appearing in 11 games with two assists. With the team stuck in a rough position right now, rushing him back to help out would do him nor the Maple Leafs any favours and it might be best to sit him out for the rest of the season.
That gives Brad Treliving a bit more leeway though it does demand that he sit Tanev the rest of the season, but if he had any plans to include him at all this year, his LTIR help goes up in smoke.
Why Toronto should target Mario Ferraro to replace Chris Tanev
First, the team is likely going to need a defenseman to replace Tanev and trading for his replacement shouldn’t be too hard. The team could call up their favourite team, San Jose, and see what they would take for Mario Ferraro.
Ferraro, 27, would fit perfectly as a replacement for Tanev considering he adds as much physicality, toughness, and shot-blocking ability. A tenacious defender despite being a bit smaller at 5’11, he’s averaged 131 hits and 125 blocks for his career, and has a decent shot from the point too.
He would be a vast improvement over Simon Benoit and Philippe Myers, and could slot nicely beside Troy Stecher if he sticks around past the deadline. He makes $3.25-million which would eat a large portion of the cap space but he’s a free agent so it’s not committed money.
Toronto needs a bottom-six utility player and Max Sasson fits the bill
Someone like a Max Sasson would be a great fit for a versatile depth forward similar to what Jarnkrok was but is only 25 years old and only has 79 NHL games — he’s got lots of growth ahead of him.
Putting a line together of Sasson – Quillan – Lorentz would give Craig Berube and the Maple Leafs a physical, uber-aggressive forechecking line with some offensive chops but focused heavily on disrupting opponents and causing some chaos.
Plus, he only makes $775,00 this season and $1-million for the next two. They’ll have a potential bottom-six versatile forward signed for his prime years, and with the right coaching and a bit of luck — he could surprise people.
The elephant in the room though is Tanev’s potential return. If Toronto does end up bringing him back, they need to be cap compliant for the rest of the season and might not be able to find the money for both their veteran and the new additions.
But with the season on the downswing and the chance to add some cheap yet reliable pieces thanks to their cap surplus, it might be best to let him sit and let the others should the load for the next 20 games.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
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How the Maple Leafs can use LTIR to add two players by Friday’s deadline
Should the Maple Leafs leave Chris Tanev on LTIR and use his cap space for trades?