Oct 15, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forwards Leo Komarov (47) and Milan Michalek (18) and defenceman Morgan Rielly (44) line up for a face off against Boston Bruins at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Frederik Andersen Is Getting Too Much Of The Leafs Blame

Frederik Andersen Is Getting Too Much Of The Leafs Blame by Nicholas Frost

The Toronto Maple Leafs will need to keep their current veteran forward group to meet expansion draft requirements.

The Toronto Maple Leafs current roster makeup is one that complicates any trades that the team may have wanted to explore, specifically regarding Tyler Bozak.

Bozak’s name has come up in trade rumors before and his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs likely doesn’t extend beyond his current contract.

The catch is, though, the Leafs can’t deal him until after the expansion draft – unless they are bringing back another forward that will meet the requirements for forced-unprotected status at the expansion draft.

As with Bozak, a max-value Komarov trade is also likely on the back-burner – if it was even ever a consideration.

From CapFriendly:

“Two forwards must be left unprotected who are under contract in 2017-2018 and have met one of the two following requirements: 1. Played 40+ games in the 2016-2017 season, or 2. Played 70+ games in the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons.”

The short list of players who currently meet those requirements, or will barring a season ending injury, are the following:

Nazem Kadri

James van Riemsdyk

Leo Komarov

Tyler Bozak

Matt Martin

If we take CapFriendly as fact, which we have no reason not to, of those five players, the Leafs will be required to leave two unprotected for the Las Vegas franchise.

Kadri and James van Riemsdyk should be considered locked in as protected. That leaves Komarov, Bozak and Martin.

Komarov’s contract expires before Martin’s. The Leafs would be in a better cap control situation for their budding young stars if Martin was claimed versus Komarov. While there’s no guarantee either would be chosen, it makes more financial – and general – sense to protect Komarov over Martin.

But what about Bozak v. Komarov?

Tyler Bozak, a potential trade chip, is a high cap hit target for being left unprotected. He may hold more value in a deal beyond this season if he can stay healthy, but he also costs more. The cost is essentially irrelevant for next season with Bozak expiring in 2018, though, because the Leafs don’t need the space.

There is no one on the current team that requires a significant pay raise before Bozak leaves either via trade or free agency. That makes leaving Komarov and Martin the odd men out for expansion protection.

If it’s financial motivation, it’s likely going to be Bozak and Martin left for the picking. If it’s potential trade value, it’s likely going to be Komarov and Martin left unprotected. In any scenario, Matt Martin seems destined to be available to Las Vegas.

With finances not really an issue, I’d rather bet heavy on the trade chip scenario and for certain keep Tyler Bozak around. The Leafs run the risk of losing Komarov or Martin but, short and long-term, neither is a significant loss and neither would generate a potential return Bozak could if he remains healthy.

Leaving both Komarov and Martin available could keep the Vegas team away from Carrick or Marincin – whoever gets left unprotected – given the false narrative the West is tougher. Komarov and Martin would satisfy the gritty needs of any team in search of that trait.

The bottom line is the Leafs need to leave two of the above five mentioned players available. While Komarov is a fan favorite, he doesn’t boast the trade value a healthy Tyler Bozak would in the final year of their contracts.

Maybe the Vegas team doesn’t bite and they take a defender, or maybe they take Matt Martin and the Leafs can deal both Bozak and Komarov by the 2018 deadline before they depart anyway.

However the scenario will play out, the Leafs are in no position to deal any of their five veterans right now unless they get another forward back they can leave for Vegas. As it stands now, the Leafs should leave Komarov and Martin as the two available for selection by the Las Vegas insert-name-here.