Toronto Maple Leafs willing to use loophole to circumvent cap to sign free agent

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Sam Hutch
June 27, 2024 (7:54)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs need defensive help as they've needed for a few years now and it sounds like they're willing to use a loophole in free agency to get it.

Free agency is just around the corner and the Toronto Maple Leafs sound like they're about to go big game hunting for a top 4 defender. In order to do that, they're looking at a loophole in order to circumvent the salary cap.

According to Chris Johnston of TSN on The Chris Johnston Show, the Leafs are exploring the idea of brining in Chris Tanev on a 5 or 6 year deal that way they can save a little bit of money on the contract because of the longer term.

»I think the Leafs are willing to get creative on a contract with Chris Tanev even despite his age and his injury historyyou might see him sign a longer term contract with wherever he lands and that could be a way to lower the AAV for him I don't think you can rule out a five or six year deal this time around and I think Toronto is one of the teams that is going to be knocking on his door.»

Tanev, 34, has an injury history but has proven to be a reliable shut down defender despite that. However, giving him a long term contract at 34 means that there's a likelihood he'll either be injured or retire. Which means should he not finish out his contract, the Leafs would be able to use long-term injured reserve to bridge the cap between whenever he stops playing and the end of his deal. Cap circumvention at its finest.

Source: Spotify - The Chris Johnston Show
The Chris Johnston Show

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Should teams be allowed to use this loophole?
No, they shouldn't	41	26.3 %
It's not a loophole, it's just smart	52	33.3 %
Yes, use whatever you can	42	26.9 %
Get rid of the cap	21	13.5 %
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