TORONTO – Throughout the 2019-20 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs were a little tight on the spending room. Having John Tavares, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner collecting north of $10 million each, it’s forced the Maple Leafs hand more than a few times over the 2019-20 season. That said, the Toronto Marlies have an abundance of players ready to receive some new ink over the extended summer.
FORWARDS
Max Veronneau – Acquired from the Belleville Senators at the trade deadline, Veronneau only played three games in a Marlies uniform during his brief tenure. Max did not register any points but served two penalty minutes and a minus-two plus/minus rating. During the 2019-20 season, he was paid a cool $925,000 and will become a restricted free agent (RFA) afterwards.
Miikka Salomaki – Speaking of men from the deadline, Salomaki was shipped from the Milwaukee Admirals to the Marlies on February 22. Salomaki struck big on his first game as in a Marlies uniform, registering a multi-point morning. Miikka will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) that made north of $750,000 this year.
Jeremy Bracco – Sitting on an entry-level contract, Bracco netted a whopping 30 assists and four goals in 44 games with the Baby Buds in 2019-20. The previous season, Jeremy topped out his points, registering a career-high 79 (22 goals, 57 assists). At the age of 24, he collected a smooth $842,500 and will become an RFA in the offseason.
Garrett Wilson – At 29 years old, Wilson has become a cornerstone of experience for the Marlies. Branded as a team leader, Wilson has the experience of the Memorial Cup Championship and over 80 NHL games under his belt. Gathering 81 PIMs in 51 games, Wilson banked $725,000 in the shortened season and will soon become an UFA.
Tyler Gaudet – At 6’3″, 205 lbs, Gaudet quickly became one of the Marlies more reliable centers. Having north of 350 AHL games played (like Wilson), Tyler was able to bring experience to the Marlies table. While registering 21 points in 58 games, Gaudet spotted himself $700,000 last season and will become a UFA this summer or fall.
Pontus Aberg – Having played in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017, Aberg was listed as one of Toronto’s top potential performers. As he registered 44 points in 55 games, Pontus didn’t entirely find his step with the Marlies. During this last season, he secured $700,000 and will become an arbitration available RFA when free agency occurs.
Matt Lorito – Oakville Ontario native Lorito found himself in a Marlies uniform after spending the first 50 games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Repping a plus/minus rating of minus-eight in eight games, Lorito also scored five assists in his tenure. After capping out at $675,000, Matt will become a UFA when the NHL season draws to a close.
DEFENSEMEN
Teemu Kivihalme – Playing in his first year of North American professional hockey, the 24-year-old found himself holding up the back end of the Marlies well through his 55 games played. Providing a plus/minus rating of minus-one, his numbers dropped from his previous seasons playing with Karpat in the Liiga circuit. Kivihalme will become an arbitration available RFA after hitting the Maple Leafs organization for $792,500 in 2019-20.
Kevin Gravel – Gravel came to the Marlies having played 36 games with the Oilers during the 2018-19 season. He sustained an upper-body injury in November that took him out for a few months. At 28 years old, Gravel was paid $700,000 by Toronto and will become a UFA this offseason.
GOALIES
Kasimir Kaskisuo – Providing a solid footing in the crease for the Marlies this season, Kakskisuo built from his previous season with the Baby Buds. After a strong playoff performance in 2018-19, he earned himself a spot on the AHL roster in 2019-20. Kaskisuo was paid $675,000 last season and will become a UFA when he hits the open market.
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