The Maple Leafs have an interesting dilemma to work through this summer.

And for a team that will draft a ton of prospects this summer, the problem will only get stickier in time.

It's roster spots. Teams can have 50 players under NHL contracts playing professionally. (Players who have signed NHL deals but are in junior are exempt from the 50 roster spots.)

Last season, butting up against the max, the Leafs traded five prospects (mid-to-low-level) to the New York Islanders for Michael Grabner. It was a salary dump by the Islanders, who didn't want to play Grabner the $5 million he was owed. It opened up four roster spots for the Leafs.

But the draft hasn't even happened, and the Leafs are butting up against that 50 again.

They currently have 35 players under contract for 2016-17 -- including Mitch Marner, Nielsen, Travis Dermott, Dmytro Timashov, all of whom are eligible to return to junior next year -- so they have some wiggle room.

But Marner looks like he's done all he can in junior, so he's nearly a lock to start with the Leafs in October. Dermott, Timashov and Nielsen are all eligible to play for the Marlies next season.

And there are 10 restricted free agents they're going to have to make a call on, which gets you to 45. Throw in Auston Matthews, who's certain to be on the list, and you're at 46.

They've said they'll buy out Jared Cowen, so you're back at 45.

And there are nine unrestricted free agents, which brings them to 54.

WHAT TO DO?

It will be easy to toss over some UFAs from among Grabner, P.A. Parenteau, Brad Boyes, T.J. Brennan, Ben Smith, Mark Arcobello, Rich Clune, Alex Stalock and Raffi Torres.

Of that group, re-signing Parenteau (for the Leafs) and Brennan and Smith (for the Marlies and depth for the Leafs) make the most sense. That brings them to 48.

No team likes to carry 50. Even 49 makes them itchy.

So what about Steve Stamkos and Jimmy Vesey -- a star and a prospect both of whom have been mentioned as free-agent possibilities?

Easy, if they get Stamkos, they probably pass on Parenteau.

As for Vesey, don't be surprised if they trade a prospect or two to Nashville to get his signing rights before he becomes UFA. That way Nashville gets something and the Leafs clear some roster space.

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Or this is where the wiggle room for Marner, Timashov, Nielsen and Dermott comes in handy.

WAIVER WIRE

The RFAs are where things get interesting. Peter Holland, Martin Marincin, Frank Corrado, Connor Carrick, Sam Carrick, Garret Sparks, Stuart Percy, Josh Leivo, Colin Smith and Scott Harrington.

Holland seemed to have fallen out of favour with Leafs coach Mike Babcock. He's 25. A former first-rounder (2009, Anaheim). Is it too soon to say goodbye?

Marincin, Corrado and Connor Carrick would be deemed locks for new deals.

Sparks, too, because the organization has only three goalies under contract. He'd be the fourth.

For Sam Carrick, Percy, Leivo, Smith and Harrington the organization is going to have to make a call. None can be seen to be locks as NHL regulars next season. And all will require waivers -- the very process that cost the Vancouver Canucks Corrado -- should they not make the big club.

Those might not seem like high and mighty prospects, but for a franchise that appears to be loading up on prospects behind them, it could prove to be a conundrum. Those requiring waivers in 2017-18: Victor Loov, Connor Brown, Brendan Leipsic, Antoine Bibeau, Zach Hyman.

Five-for-one, anyone?

GOT A QUESTION? Email me at askkevinmcgran@gmail.com and I'll answer it in Friday's mailbag.

