Maple Leafs Faced With Tough Decision Ahead of Expansion Draft

The Toronto Maple Leafs, like many other teams, are going to have some tough decisions to make this offseason when it comes to protecting players from the Seattle Kraken. With either the seven forwards and three defenseman set up, or eight skaters, the Leafs are in line to lose a key player.

For general manager Kyle Dubas and company it's likely going to come down to either forward Alexander Kerfoot or defenseman Justin Holl who won't be making the protected list. Kerfoot is 26, signed for two more seasons at $3.5 million and is coming off an impressive playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens where he had to fill in for the injured John Tavares. 

Meanwhile, Holl blossomed into one of the Leafs more consistent defenseman this season, recording 20 points in 55 games. The 29-year-old has two seasons left on his contract, paying him $2 million per season. Considering there was a season where Holl was scratched 71 times, he's come a long way with the franchise which could pull on the heart strings of management.

It's also likely there's a trade before the expansion draft that helps the Leafs protect both players. With the expensive contracts of some of their core, having value deals like Kerfoot and Holl's is something management needs on the books. It's going to be a very interesting offseason in the NHL, and the Seattle Kraken are to blame.

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