Heading into this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs had high hopes, believing it was finally their time. Their optimism seemed justified when they broke their first-round curse by eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.
However, for the Leafs and their fans, they met an insurmountable challenge in the form of an on-fire Sergi Bobrovsky and the Florida Panthers, who knocked the Leafs out in just five games.
With the Leafs' season now over, numerous questions arise concerning what the team will look like next season.
Look To The Future
Leafs insider Adam Laskaris has shared his predictions for what the Leafs' opening night roster could possibly be. According to Laskaris, Zach Anton-Reese, Noel Acciari, and Ilya Samsonov - all of whom have expiring contracts - will likely return.
Ilya Samsonov Returns
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Conversely, he forecasts departures for Michael Bunting, Ryan O'Reilly, Alex Kerfoot, David Kempf, Wayne Simmonds, Justin Holl, Luke Schenn, and Erik Gustafsson next season.
Laskaris also anticipates that Matthew Knies and Nick Robertson will assume bigger roles on the team.
One question that remains is regarding Auston Matthews, who is entering the final year of his current contract and whose no-trade clause becomes active on July 1st.
What About Matthews?
Could Kyle Dubas make a franchise-defining trade if Matthews doesn't re-sign? Observing the situations involving John Tavares and Johnny Gaudreau, who left their teams as free agents, leaving their teams with no return, it's clear that such a scenario could have a detrimental effect on the Leafs organization for years to come.
Credit:Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
18 MAI | 354 ANSWERS Leafs Insider Gives Prediction On Next Season's Leafs Roster Will Austin Matthews Re-sign In Toronto? | ||
| Yes | 225 | 63.6 % |
| No | 129 | 36.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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