2. I thought Toronto was vulnerable with Connor Brown, a really good player who wouldn’t cost four first-rounders, but the Maple Leafs’ use of “Summer LTIR” gave them room. Admittedly, that wrinkle caught me by surprise, but after doing some digging, this is not a move Lou Lamoriello is unfamiliar with. In 2005, right out of that lockout and the new CBA, the Devils became the first team to use this option, when Patrik Elias came down with Hepatitis after spending that season in Russia. (I believe Philadelphia also used it. The Flyers were on LTIR for about a decade.)
Chicago GM Stan Bowman told local reporters he didn’t want to go this route, because of the dangers. What are they? Well, it basically comes down to this: If someone gets hurt in training camp/pre-season and you can’t bury their contract, you could be in big trouble. So if Toronto’s players are wearing bubble-wrap, you’ll understand why.
3. The Maple Leafs had to do it because of their bonus overages. Their summer cap is calculated at the upper limit minus the bonus penalty, plus the 10 per cent cushion you are allowed at this time of year. So that’s $75M-$5M+$7M, or approximately $77M. Theory: Either Nathan Horton ($5.3M salary) or Joffrey Lupul ($5.25M) is on LTIR.