Maple Leafs Expected to Part With Pair of Forwards Ahead of Free Agency

With Mitch Marner expected to test free agency, the Leafs will free up no less than $10.9M in cap space if he does indeed choose not to return.

A new deal for sophomore winger Matthew Knies will likely eat up most of that extra space, but the Leafs will still have plenty available to revamp their forward group.

Currently, they have $26.8M in cap space (according to PuckPedia) - take out $6.8M for a John Tavares extension on the high side and they are left with $20M to spend up front. The Leafs could explore parting with two bottom-six forwards in an effort to create even more cap and roster space, according to one Insider.

In his latest article for The Fourth Period Dave Pagnotta noted that the Leafs may look to either trade, waive or exercise a buyout on one or both of David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok. Moving one would free up at least $2M while moving both would clear $4.5M in additional cap space - money that can be better used spread out across the forward group and create an opportunity for them to add someone like Chris Kreider or Lawson Crouse, per Pagnotta.

Jarnkrok has one more season at $2.1M, while Kampf has another 2 years at a $2.4M cap hit.

Moving on from Jarnkrok and Kampf wouldn't decimate the Leafs by any means as they both missed significant time with injury this past season. Not only would it free up cap space, but it would also free up roster spots for the club to give opportunities to younger players like Easton Cowan.

Regardless of how the Leafs revamp their bottom-six, there will be significant changes this summer as the Leafs will head into next season with very different looking group. That has all but been confirmed.