Will mutual interest with Maple Leafs, Bertuzzi lead to deal?

Will mutual interest with Maple Leafs, Bertuzzi lead to deal?

If he can pull it off, Treliving has the opportunity to bring in three defencemen on the blue line. For 2024–2025, the Leafs hold contracts with three of their top six defensemen: Simon Benoit, Jake McCabe, and Morgan Rielly. Timothy Liljegren is qualified for arbitration as a restricted free agent.

Treliving needs to locate a third-line center at forward, be it Max Domi or another player.

Treliving will have somewhat less than $20 million US in salary cap room to utilize. Assistant general manager Brandon Pridham will be Treliving’s primary assistant in any deals.
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A center, a defenseman, and a goaltender are Toronto’s top priorities.

Is there going to be enough money for Bertuzzi to sign again? Although it wouldn’t seem that way, things may alter. Thanks to a stronger second half, Bertuzzi finished with 21 goals and 22 assists in 80 games during 2023–24, earning $5.5 million on a one-year contract. Presumably, the 29-year-old native of Sudbury, Ontario, would start with at least $5 million on his next deal.

The Leafs will undoubtedly be looking to Bobby McMann and Matthew Knies to boost up their offensive game if Bertuzzi is let go, and maybe even to Easton Cowan to provide more than just a nine-game stint.

The Leafs don’t have the impression that they could satisfactorily handle their remaining goaltending and defensive responsibilities while re-signing Bertuzzi and Domi.

We should receive some clarification on Bertuzzi and the other matters in a few weeks.