Welcome to the NHL Offseason: The Cycle of Hope Renews for the Leafs with the Draft and Free Agency on the Horizon

Ladies Talkin’ Leafs

Congrats to the Vegas Golden Knights on winning the Stanley Cup! The hardest trophy to win in all of professional sports, and the most beautiful trophy to boot! And with this begins the 2nd season–the NHL Offseason–beginning with the NHL Awards, followed by the NHL Draft and the start of the free agent signing period July 1st.

Leafs Nation has had much too much time to think since our earlier than desired playoff exit, and we’re sure that, like us, Leaf Fans can’t wait for the drama to begin to unfold, as we watch our 2023-2024 team take shape. What will Brad Treliving do to make his mark? His first move was bringing in Shane Doan as his assistant. In our first segment we discuss this hire, and what we think Doan will bring to the table.

Next, with the front office setting up, particularly with Doan joining the team, our thoughts inevitably drift to Auston Matthews. Can’t hurt to have his childhood idol on the negotiation committee right? Beyond Matthews, there is a lot of work to be done. After AM34 none more important than a contract for Willy! In addition there are key free agents to look at bringing back and/or in, some crafty cap maneuvering, a potential creative buyout or two, and a new contract for Keefe that all need to be done. We take a look at what we think the priorities are and how we think things may pan out.

Then in our Third Period segment, we discuss who the Leafs could be targeting in the upcoming draft and Free Agency! We found some interesting prospects that we hope could fall to the Leafs when they make their selection at 28. Then it's a hard pivot toward free agency as the market opens on July 1st. With 11 spots to fill, the new front office will have the opportunity to make a big impact, maybe for years to come.

No doubt the next couple of weeks will be full of drama and excitement, and emotions will once again swing toward hope for Leafs Nation. With that, its time once again to kick back and contemplate the team’s future as we await the start of next season. Join us on the patio on July 5th as we break it all down! Cheers and Go Leafs Go!

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https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/why-shane-doan-decided-the-leave-the-coyotes-for-the-maple-leafs

https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/auston-matthews-brad-treliving-meeting-cautiously-optimistic-start-for-new-maple-leafs-deal

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https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2663052

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https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2663052

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https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2023-nhl-draft-profile-daniil-but/