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NHL Free Agency: Grading the Maple Leafs’ signings

By David Rouben

TORONTO, ON - JULY 1: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs, poses with his jersey in the dressing room, after he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, at the Scotiabank Arena on July 1, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 1: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs, poses with his jersey in the dressing room, after he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, at the Scotiabank Arena on July 1, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 2: Matt Martin #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates during player introductions before playing the Buffalo Sabres at the Air Canada Centre on April 2, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 2: Matt Martin #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates during player introductions before playing the Buffalo Sabres at the Air Canada Centre on April 2, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Trade: Matt Martin returns to the Islanders

Getting Tavares from the Islanders was one thing, going back and doing a one-for-one trade with them is another. Granted, Dubas was dealing with a good friend on the other end, which led to an interesting debate over whether this is considered a Dubas move or a Lou move. The centerpiece of the deal was Matt Martin, and although he received interest from five to seven teams, Dubas knew the Islanders would be a destination that would make both the GM and the fans happy.

The Leafs got back Eamon McAdam, who has topped out as an ECHL goalie. While they could certainly use a backup goalie that can help take more starts away from Frederik Andersen, their goalie situation is such that they have a number of guys they can go to even if they deal Curtis McElhinney.

The fact that five to seven teams were interested in a Leafs healthy scratch tells you, first, how much of a wizard Dubas is and, second, how impressive their forward core is. They’re not likely to miss Martin, as he went straight to the press box the minute Kasperi Kapanen got called up and didn’t touch the ice during the playoffs. Sure, Mitch Marner is losing his BFF, but he’ll get to be linemates with another former Islander. Not a bad trade-off, if you ask me.

While the return is nothing to write home about, freeing up $2.5 million in cap space for a healthy scratch is great asset management. Even when he’s gone, Lamoriello is still helping the Leafs.

Grade: B+

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