The Maple Leafs aren’t done shopping yet, and they’ve got their eyes on some interesting targets.
GM Brad Treliving made it clear the team could add more firepower up front if the right opportunity comes along during training camp.
Hockey insider Chris Johnston dropped two intriguing names on Monday’s episode of The Leaf Report podcast: Pavel Zacha from the Boston Bruins and Bo Horvat from the New York Islanders.
"Maybe some veteran forwards become available," Johnston said. "They’re players that could satisfy the needs in places like Montreal, Vancouver, maybe even Toronto."
The Leafs have already been busy this summer, bringing in Nicolas Roy, Matias Maccelli, Dakota Joshua and Michael Pezzetta. But Treliving isn’t ready to call it quits just yet.
Here’s the catch though – money’s tight.
The Leafs have just $1.9 million in cap space to play with. That’s nowhere near enough for either Zacha ($4.7 million cap hit) or Horvat ($8.5 million).
Both players would be perfect fits for Toronto’s needs. Zacha, 28, is hitting his prime and has two years left on his deal. Horvat, 30, is locked in long-term with the Islanders and brings the kind of veteran presence the Leafs are looking for.
But there are other hurdles too.
The Bruins just lost Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci to retirement, making them unlikely to part with Zacha. And the Islanders see Horvat as a cornerstone piece of their future.
Toronto’s looking for experienced help at center to support Auston Matthews. But with their current cap situation, they might have to look closer to home.
Young guns like Maccelli and prospect Easton Cowan could get their shot instead – and they wouldn’t cost a penny more against the cap.
The Leafs will need to move some players first if they want to make any significant additions. They’ve got plenty of forwards already, and something’s got to give.
