Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe admits that team 'ran out of money'

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Josh tupper
September 23, 2022 (2:37 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs official kicked off their on ice activities yesterday. For the first time in years it appears the Maple Leafs have openings in their forward group that should create some very interesting competitions. One player who is being watched very closely as Zach Aston-Reese.

ZAR signed a professional tryout with the Maple Leafs after spending time with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks last season. ZAR is just the type of player the Maple Leafs could use in their bottom 6. He offers physical play and his defensively responsible. Last season he notched 15 points and 231 hits.

At training camp Sheldon Keefe spoke about the opportunity for Aston-Reese and how the Maple Leafs had interest in signing him to a contract before the season began.

He's a guy that we had interest in as free agency got going and then just kind of ran out of money. To have him here and competing, and in the mix, is a good thing for us. He has come in with a really good attitude.

As far as I'm concerned, the way Kyle has told me, is (take the) approach that everybody here is an option for me and for our team.

ZAR is expected to command a salary under $900,000 on a 1-year deal, so seeing that the Leafs were unable to fit that cap hit shows just how tight against the cap they truly are. With opportunities available for multiple players a strong and physical training camp should go a long way for ZAR.

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SEPTEMBRE 23 \| 72 ANSWERS Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe admits that team 'ran out of money' Where do the Maple Leafs finish?
1st in the Atlantic	18	25 %
Top 3 in the Atlantic	32	44.4 %
Wild Card Spot	15	20.8 %
Out of the playoffs	7	9.7 %
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