3 Maple Leafs Who Probably Won't Be Back Next Season

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a team that spends to the salary cap and given they have a significant amount of expensive contracts, change to their roster is inevitable year over year. While they expect to make some adjustments in-season, there's going to be several Maple Leafs who won't be in the lineup come 2022.

Here's three players who probably won't be back in Toronto next season:

1. Justin Holl: There's a good chance Holl is moved via trade this season and if it doesn't materialize before the trade deadline in late March, expect to see the veteran defenseman moved next summer. The 29-year-old is signed for the 2021-22 season at $2 million and considering the market for right-handed defenseman is slim, there will be interest. The Maple Leafs have been tremendously loyal, but it appears with his shaky play of late, Holl's time is running out in Toronto.

2. Pierre Engvall: The former seventh-round pick is someone who can play both down the middle and on the wing and Engvall has some serious wheels. He doesn't play a physical game for someone 6'5 but he's learning to use his body for positioning advantage this season. So far in 2021-22 he's managed 10 points in 29 games and continues to get fourth-line minutes. Once the Maple Leafs forward group is completely healthy, there's a chance he's going to be scratched. As for next season, the pending restricted free-agent is likely going to be moved.

3. Alex Kerfoot: Leafs Nation can expect to see Kerfoot moved in the offseason because of his $3.5 million salary and nothing to do with his play. He's mostly played second-line left-wing this year and has the ability to play down the middle effectively as well, which is a great tool for any coach. The Maple Leafs have Jack Campbell to re-sign and not enough money to do so, expect to see Kerfoot dangled for trade next summer so Toronto can hold onto their 'Souuuuup". The forward holds no-trade protection that kicks in next summer where submits a list of 10 teams he'd like to avoid. Obviously the two sides saw this coming when they negotiated the deal. There's no doubt the Colorado Avalanche would love to get Kerfoot back into their mix, so keep an eye on them next offseason.