The Toronto Maple Leafs have finalized one-year deals for Max Pacioretty ($873,770) and Steven Lorentz ($775,000), but these signings require the team to make roster adjustments to comply with the salary cap. According to Kyle Cushman of The Score, the Leafs can get under the cap by just $1 by sending certain players down and strategically utilizing long-term injured reserve (LTIR).

The drawback of beginning on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) is that the Leafs won’t accumulate cap space during the season. Furthermore, with eight defensemen on the roster, there’s a congestion on the blue line. Connor Timmins and Timothy Liljegren might end up as the odd ones out, as Morgan Rielly, Chris Tanev, and others are expected to occupy the leading positions.