3 Toronto Maple Leafs Not Expected Back Next Season

With a new year beginning we flip our calendars and our attention to the 2023-24 NHL season. There's going to be changes for all 32 teams across the league, including from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here's three players you shouldn't expect to see on the roster next season:

Justin Holl

With the emergence of Connor Timmins and the development of Timothy Liljegren, Maple Leafs' fans shouldn't expect to see Justin Holl in Toronto next season. He's had an up-and-down 2022-23 so far, but remains to be a stellar penalty killer and an above-average defensive defenseman. The Maple Leafs are projected at the moment to only have $12.7 million in cap space for 2023-24, and with Holl wanting a raise off his $2 million salary, it's likely he leaves town next summer and signs elsewhere.

Pierre Engvall

Another pending free agent who is likely to sign elsewhere is Maple Leafs' forward Pierre Engvall. He's also been inconsistent this season in Toronto and currently finds himself a staple on the team's third line in a shut-down role. Engvall is 26, signed for $2.25 and still holds some upside. If he's looking for a raise next summer, he can expect it to come from another general manager as Kyle Dubas isn't likely to budge on the limited cap space he does have at is fingertips. Engvall could easily be a throw in before the March 3 trade deadline should the Leafs make a big splash and need to balance the books financially.

Wayne Simmonds

A veteran forward who has fallen off the depth chart in Toronto, Wayne Simmonds is another pending free agent who won't be re-signed by the Maple Leafs. He's appeared in only seven games this season, collecting a dismal one assist. He's been replaced by Zach Aston-Reese and Dryden Hunt at the moment and will only be drawing back in the Leafs lineup should an injury take place. Unfortunately, the end could be near for Simmonds and his decorated career as the team tried to trade him earlier this season to no avail. 

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