CUP OR BUST MENTALITY FOR TORONTO

TORONTO, ON — The messaging wasn’t crystal clear, but it seemed clear enough. When the Toronto Maple Leafs held their season end press conference with Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan, GM Brad Treliving and MLSE President & CEO Keith Pelley on Friday, it became evident that it’s ‘shit or get off the pot time’ in Toronto.

The Maple Leafs haven’t changed. A great regular-season performance followed by another premature playoff exit. Mix in some summer finetuning here and there, a few pre-trade deadline acquisitions and the final product stays the same.

But this summer seems different. With Shanahan reportedly entering the final year of his contract and a new head honcho in Pelley, there seems to be a more aggressive take on what needs to happen this off-season compared to previous years.

“There’s no complacency. We’re not here to sell jerseys. We’re here to win,” said Pelley.

Refreshing to hear if you’re a Leafs fan. But at this point, Leafs Nation has heard this noise before. For them, it’s time to go big, or go F yourself.

Neither Shanahan nor Treliving wouldn’t specifically address any individual player or group, aka the Core 4, during Friday’s presser. Understandably so, to be honest, but it certainly sounded as if they are going to attempt to change things up.

Shanahan indicated some players have “chosen to come back to Toronto” versus leaving and taking their chances elsewhere. Who will be brought back this summer and who will be sent packing?

Toronto offered Auston Matthews an eight-year agreement last summer, but the 69-goal scorer opted to take a four-year extension, instead. Perhaps that’s indicative of maximizing future earnings or maybe he wanted to see how this team performs before considering his future options.

The Leafs will “will look at everything this summer,” as Shanahan and Treliving explained. Moving Matthews isn’t one of those things, and the likelihood of trading William Nylander is slim. But what about captain John Tavares and star winger Mitch Marner, both of whom will be entering the final year of their respective contracts?

I have a hard time believing Tavares will waive his no-movement clause, but I’m not convinced that is the same case for Marner. Speaking with those close to his camp, the belief is he would, and should, consider alternative options if the Leafs seek a trade. And no, the Leafs are not going to move him for a package surrounded by future assets. If they go down this road, and teams have already poked around, it’s a talent-for-talent swap.

One team I am curious about is the Nashville Predators. A star player like Marner would fit in nicely at Bridgestone Arena and they have a star of their own they are willing to move for the right deal, despite GM Barry Trotz recently reaffirming their desire to keep him.

Goaltender Juuse Saros, like Marner, will soon be on an expiring contract. With Yaroslav Askarov waiting in the wings, moving Saros for extra fire power up front could be what the doctor ordered.

Yes, Treliving said he has “faith” in Joseph Woll, but followed that up by voicing concerns over his overall health. “The biggest question about (Woll) is he’s getting injured a lot,” he said. “We have to dig into that.” And I think Toronto moves on from Ilya Samsonov, who can become an unrestricted free agent just over seven weeks.

Before the Predators were banned from watching U2 in Vegas from head coach Andrew Brunette and going on their wild run to the playoffs, Trotz was willing to listen on Saros. Teams called, but their run took him off the market. Will that change now? For Marner, it might.

Now, I’d have to believe other pieces would be in play, as Marner and Saros would be the primaries, and I would have to assume an extension for both would need to be part of the mix, as well – neither is eligible to sign an extension until July 1 – but this is a move that makes sense for both clubs and I wonder if it gains momentum this summer.

Making a deal of this magnitude, dealing one of the Core 4, is just one item on Toronto’s off-season to-do list. They still need to find a head coach, solidify their goaltending, reinforce the defensive corps, and add intangible pieces beyond skill that Treliving talked about.

On the coach, as I reported last month, I am still of the understanding that Berube is a top candidate to replace Sheldon Keefe. I believe the Leafs planned to speak with Berube over the weekend and despite Treliving emphasizing a thorough, but quick, search, if he wants the gig, it should be his. I do not get the sense Joel Quenneville is on their list, as the Leafs have not approached the NHL about his ineligible status, which has not changed.

I think Treliving wants to keep Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi, but might just be able to hold on to one of them. The Leafs will try to add more physicality to the lineup over the summer, via trade and/or free agency, at both ends of the ice. Some players I expect to be on their radar through trade are Philadelphia’s Scott Laughton, Columbus captain Boone Jenner and San Jose’s Mario Ferraro, while potential free agents like Viktor Arvidsson, Dakota Joshua and Nikita Zadorov could be targets in July.

It should be an interesting off-season in Toronto. Ticket prices aren’t dropping any time soon, but the fans’ patience might finally be coming to a head.

BUSINESS IS GOOD

Utah’s addition to the NHL should provide a nice uptick in Hockey Related Revenues, further enforcing the League’s financial standing. Business is in a good place; team valuations are increasing, sponsorship deals keep coming in, the salary cap is already projected to go up another five percent for 2025-26, and revenues continue to climb.

Some teams are taking notice and are starting to explore the market for new partners.

I’m told a healthy chunk of NHL owners are willing to take on new minority stakeholders, with one club in the process of finalizing a deal to sell 15 percent of that specific franchise. I am not currently at liberty to divulge the team, but that deal is expected to be announced around or in June.

Another team, the Calgary Flames, are actively entertaining the possibility of selling around 15 to 30 percent of their club and have been engaged in discussions with prospective groups. At least four other clubs, that I am aware are, have been doing the same.

Strike while the iron’s hot, right?

HERE AND THERE

• As recent as this week, teams continue to ask the Montreal Canadiens about defenceman Arber Xhekaj, but Habs GM Kent Hughes keeps turning them away. Hughes isn’t interested in moving the sturdy blueliner but is open to moving some of his other young defencemen.

• There is some chatter that wherever Craig Berube goes (again, I believe he’s the top candidate for the Maple Leafs), that he has at least one assistant coach set to accompany him. Full disclosure, I can’t reveal who that is right now, but he’s a former NHL head coach. So, which ever team brings in Berube will likely have added plenty of experience behind the bench beyond the bench boss position.

• Speaking of coaches, the New Jersey Devils were linked to Sheldon Keefe before the playoffs started. Now that he’s officially available, they are supposed to speak with him this weekend. He’s believed to be at the top of their list, alongside Berube.

• In Los Angeles, the Kings still need to decide what they want to do. Jim Hiller is being fully considered for the full-time gig and a decision on his future could be made in the coming days.

• Some teams are wondering if Cole Perfetti’s minimum usage in the playoffs means the Winnipeg Jets will take calls on him this summer. I’m not sure of GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s appetite to explore a move here, but teams are expected to inquire.

• Expect Utah GM Bill Armstrong to be aggressive in reshaping his blueline. Defence is a priority this summer.

• Vegas wants to hold on to Jonathan Marchessault and I believe there is a pathway to an extension. Chandler Stephenson, however, may have priced himself out of the Golden Knights’ plans. If he hits the open market July 1, he’ll be a hot commodity.