Maple Leafs Could Use LTIR Strategy to get out of bad contract

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Tom Banks
November 17, 2023 (10:52 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs had a solid summer, but under new General Manager Brad Treliving, they gave out some very interesting deals that may now be coming back to haunt them.

A bad deal for two veterans of the Maple Leafs

Two of the worst contracts given out were to defenseman John Klingberg and forward Ryan Reaves, and early on the year, they may be the team's two biggest weaknesses.

Now, it's been revealed that Klingberg is battling through some tough injuries, with the veteran blue liner skating but not playing, much to his disappointment in Sweden.

It's always been there throughout my career, but I've been able to deal with it.... It kind of hit a rock bottom here these last few weeks.

Could the Leafs use LTIR to get off his horrendous contract?

In recent weeks, Klingberg has been placed in many trade scenarios as salary filler, with the team likely needing to use a sweetener to get out of his deal, but now, there may be another way.

The LTIR plan for Klingberg seems pretty real suddenly. Thought it was tinfoil hat stuff .. The last 2 wins gave the Buds some breathing space. Let it ride a bit. If Klingberg can't go, it's pretty clear what will happen. Will make any trade a lot easier/cheaper to make.

At this point, nothing is certain, but if the Leafs want to get out of his contract and have the ability to add key defensive pieces without giving up sweeteners in a deal, things are certainly aligning for that to happen.

As Read on Blade of Steel - Toronto Maple Leafs could be planning to use LTIR loophole to get out of another bad contract