Toronto Star

With 20/20 hindsight, you could argue that not caving in to William Nylander last season would have been the smarter play for the Maple Leafs. You could make the same argument with Mitch Marner now, Damien Cox writes.

Moving up salary arbitration rights for young players after their entry-level contracts run out is a topic of discussion among NHL GMs, but any progress would be made too late for this summer’s star-studded crop of restricted free agents led by Mitch Marner.

Andersen, who was 36-16-7 with a .917 save percentage and a 2.77 goals-against average last season, doesn’t think it will take long for the new group to mesh.

Schmaltz, 25, had two assists in 20 regular-season games with the Stanley Cup champions last season.

‘Nothing like what I’ve experienced’: Low-key defenceman knows new environment will be much different than his former digs in Denver.

Forwards Pontus Aberg, Tyler Gaudet, Nick Shore and Garrett Wilson, and defenceman Kevin Gravel received one-year contracts, while forwards Kalle Kossila and Kenny Agostino agreed to two-year deals.

The final year of the Clarkson contract, once he’s placed on long-term injured reserve, could help the Leafs keep the band together

Clarkson is expected to be placed on long-term injured reserve by Toronto at some point to clear up cap space.

Freddie Andersen might have another level to reach. Garret Sparks might be a late bloomer. A team with Stanley Cup aspirations, however, can’t bank on that. Bringing in veteran Michal Neuvirth on a PTO is a low-risk move that could pay off, Damien Cox writes.