So, if we read the tea leaves like the general manager said, that means mobile props like William Nylander and Jake Muzzin are likely to return for 2022-23. And even if, say, an Alexander Kerfoot and/or Justin Holl come off the books, that won’t leave the bullpen with the kind of stack to make a giant splash in free agency. In other words, Dubas appears ready to play moneyball again, digging into data spreadsheets and looking at video in search of those second-tier (third-tier?) UFA gems. “Last season, we faced a very similar exercise and a similar question of how we would improve when we had certain RFAs or UFAs. Some raises are due; Some you won’t be able to afford,” said Dubas, who is at ease letting Ilya Mikheyev and Jack Campbell reap their riches elsewhere. “We have to repeat, in most respects, the way we operated last summer, going out and we can find players who can come in, add to our squad — and do it at not too high a cost, but taking advantage of the opportunity and flourishing”. Find the next David Kampf. Sign new Michael Bunting. Take a swing at 2023 Ondrej Kase, because 2022 Kase is likely to walk. And when it comes to the crease, explore the backup options for new No. 1 Matt Murray. “That falls on me and our player personnel department, more than anybody else, to go out and find those players again,” Dubas said. “It’s a challenge we embraced last summer, especially from the run we had last year and the disappointment we had then. We have to repeat it but also eliminate any mistakes. The margin of error is much smaller. “It’s a challenge – one that we embrace and that, in the future, we will be judged on.” Oh! Yes. Salary cap space: $6.36 million Roster size: 17/23 Forward salary cap: $48.91 million Defense cap salary: $22.32 million Goalie cap salary: $4.69 million Potential UFA targets Ilya Samsonov, G With the big money going to Murray, the Maple Leafs have pulled out of the UFA top goaltending market — a two-man class, Darcy Kuemper and Campbell — and will turn their attention to cost-effective support to complete the their turn. Of that lot, Samsonov — left ineligible as a pending RFA by Kuemper-hunting Washington — is the youngest and best of the bunch. He’s 25 years removed from a winning record (23-12-3) in one season with a shared load, and his best years are likely still ahead. Counterpoint: Samsonoff failed to steal the Captials’ crease, his slugging percentage was below league average (.891) and GM Brian MacLellan was unable to find a buyer on the trade market. By losing Murray, the Buffalo Sabers should be among the candidates for Samsonov, who will have multiple options. Other UFA picks include Martin Jones, Thomas Greiss, Dustin Tokarski, Eric Comrie and Charlie Lindgren. (The futures of veterans Braden Holtby, 36, and Jaroslav Halak, 37, are undetermined.) Price will be of the utmost importance. Dubas’ backup is to fill the job internally. “I think I feel good about (Erik) Källgren and (Joseph) Woll battling there,” Dubas said. Zach Aston-Reese, LW The search for a replacement for Mikheyev in the middle six should be exciting and extensive. Defender Ashton-Rees plays with an edge and coaches aggressively. Looking to join his third franchise at age 27, the undrafted winger could provide a jolt of energy. Other options include shortstop Leaf Evan Rodrigues and 18-goal left wing Danton Heinen, priced out of Pittsburgh. Chicago’s undrafted Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Strome. skillful Sonny Milano, unqualified from Anaheim; and the late Dakota Joshua, who may not want much for St. Dubas dipped into the inappropriate pool twice last summer, taking passes for Nick Ritichie and Kase, so no one would be shocked to see him go that route again. Justin Brown, D Toronto needs an experienced, defensive, right-shooting blueliner. The problem is that the UFA landscape isn’t exactly littered with them. Maybe they’ll stick it out with Hall in the final year of his deal. Probably not. Because Josh Manson, who Toronto has expressed interest in in the past, is likely out of the Leafs’ price range (Anaheim is exploring a trade), Braun is an option. He plays a safe and simple meat-and-potatoes game, but he can eat minutes, help on the penalty kill, and his underlying metrics are positive. Dubas trashed Brown at the deadline and could reconsider. Braun posted a plus-3 rating in Philadelphia last season despite playing with a terrible Flyers team (minus -87 goal differential). He should be inspired to join a candidate. Another route would be to simply revive Ilya Lyubushkin, making Russian Bear more than just a rental. He was in good shape, his teammates liked him, and Dubas kept the door open — for the right price. Darren Helm, C Jason Spezza’s departure and Wayne Simmonds’ string of healthy scratches signal the need for a revamped top six. A tough veteran presence could do wonders here. The 35-year-old Helm is durable, can play left wing or center and has all the angle with most rings in the room working for him. He never sacrifices offense for defense and can kill penalties. Helm should not have a huge commitment in terms of dollars or tenure. We also wonder if John Tavares sidekick and one-time Marlie Sam Gagner could make sense here on a six-figure deal. “You probably won’t be able to spend as much as you want on those depth pieces,” Dubas said. “You’re really going to have to do a great job of finding value, whether it’s someone coming off an injury, someone who hasn’t been given big opportunities, or someone coming off a bad year that you think you’re seeing. something that fits and matches your team.” Understand the off-season betting on Canadian teams Signing season is here. Day by day, hour by hour, NHL general managers make choices that will shape the future of their teams. Here’s what you need to know. • Calgary: It’s getting harder and harder to envision Johnny Gaudreau in a Flames uniform this season. If it goes away, Plan B will involve swinging for the fences. • Winnipeg: Historically, the Jets have spent more time looking for value than getting into a bidding war. This year, there may be money to spend, but there are big holes to fill. • Ottawa: Instead of building for tomorrow, in an endless loop, the Senators are telling their fans and their young core that they are about today. • Toronto: Kyle Dubas appears ready to play moneyball again, looking for those second (third?) UFA gems in the rough. • Vancouver:The Canucks have needs. But with little salary cap space to fill, their focus will shift to building depth rather than chasing stars. • Edmonton: The time has come, after trying in vain the past two summers, to acquire the goaltender who can open the Oilers’ Stanley Cup window. Sportsnet continues to feature previews for each Canadian team before free agency opens on July 13. Check back later for updates.
