5 ways the Toronto Maple Leafs can save cap space
5. Trade Connor Brown
Connor Brown was a sixth-round draft pick by the Maple Leafs in 2012. He was coming off a decent OHL season with the Erie Otters where he scored 25 goals and 53 points in 68 games. He soon made every NHL general manager look foolish for allowing him to fall so far in the draft.
In the 2013-14 season, Brown scored 45 goals, 83 assists and (reaches for calculator) 128 points. Brown didn’t get a ton of attention because a certain 16 year old by the name of Connor McDavid happened to be a teammate.
Brown solidified his place as a full-time NHL winger in 2016-17 when he scored 20 goals as a rookie. He hasn’t missed a game in three full seasons and is now entering the final year of a three-year extension he signed after his 20 goal season.
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The problem is, Brown has failed to come close to reaching 20 goals again and is set to earn $2.1 million next season. He has fallen to fourth on the Leafs depth chart at right wing and is just earning a bit too much money for a fourth line player.
The Toronto native scored eight goals and 29 points last season. His spot in the lineup could easily be filled by Trevor Moore who earns $775,000 or Nic Petan who takes in an identical paycheque as Moore.
Brown is 25 years old and has a 20 goal NHL season on his resume. The Leafs would not have a terribly difficult time finding him a new home, as long as they aren’t expecting a huge return. Trade him for a late round pick at the draft and be happy with the cap space it opens up.