Toronto Maple Leafs on the verge of big trade to stay salary cap compliant

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been hard at work this off-season, adding Chris Tanev, Jani Hakanpaa and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to their blue line, while also bringing in respected backup and Stanley Cup Champion Anthony Stolarz in net. While those are some solid additions for GM Brad Treliving, they now find themselves $1.5 million over the salary cap, with RFA Connor Dewar still yet to ink a new deal.

After Dewar's solid performances in 2023/24, the team would like to bring him back, but to make that happen, they'll need to clear out at least $3 million in the coming days and weeks. Now, the team may pivot to Treliving's former team the Calgary Flames, as they have $21 million in cap space, and have made it known they are open to taking on some contracts to help teams, as long as they get assets in return.

There is certainly other ways to make this happen for the Maple Leafs, but if they want to field a competitive, Stanley Cup contending team in 2024/25, they've got to make some moves now to give themselves flexibility down the stretch.

Source: Hockey Patrol
Toronto Maple Leafs will be forced to make a trade soon due to cap constraints