NHL

Nonis said, "the (salary) cap is going down, and how we allocate our dollars is very important if we're going to remain competitive." Bozak will become an unrestricted free agent in July if a new deal isn't worked out with the Maple Leafs. It was also revealed that he tore his triceps muscle at the end of Game 5 against Boston. The injury was initially reported as a bicep issue. In any event, his "arm injury" will take about four weeks to recover from.

He didn't suffer brain damage, bleeding or a concussion though which is good news.

"From a development standpoint, what we would say is the biggest plus, because there were a lot of pluses, is probably the play of Phil Kessel," Leafs vice-president of hockey operations Dave Poulin said on Wednesday. "Not only in the playoffs and in that series, but throughout the year. He took his game to a different level. He did it physically and he did it in all three zones and he played hard (against the Bruins)." Much was made about Kessel's past struggles versus his old team heading into the first round, but he put those talks to rest by netting four goals and recording six points in the series. The 25-year-old winger has one year left on his current deal, so an extension could be in the works as soon as this summer.

According to Leafs vice-president of hockey operations, Dave Poulin, the Toronto center suffered the injury on a faceoff late in Game 5. The ailment kept him out of Games 6 and 7. Bozak is expected to need four weeks to recover. He can become an unrestricted free agent this summer and now that the Leafs' season is over, it is expected that contract talks will resume.

Toronto may want to re-sign potential unrestricted free agent Tyler Bozak and lock up restricted free agent Nazem Kadri to a long-term deal. To free up some cap space, Grabovski's $5.5 million cap hit could be moved. If the Leafs decide to go down that route then GM Dave Nonis will probably seek a trade partner first and if that's doesn't work out then he could use a "compliance" buyout. Of course all of this is pure speculation right now. Grabovski had a tough regular season before showing some improved play in the postseason. However, as a whole points were hard to come by for him.

He will probably be permitted to walk as a free agent this summer despite getting two goals and three points in five postseason appearances. The Leafs have some depth players on the Marlies, in the AHL, who could take his place in the lineup and play for less money. MacArthur had eight goals and 20 points in 40 games with Toronto during the regular season.

While some were able to find a silver lining, Kessel wasn't ready to do that after being a part of a monumental collapse that saw the Leafs blow a three-goal lead in the third period. "How can you look at the positives after a game like that?" Kessel said. "I don't know what happened to us. 4-1, you can't lose that game. Obviously we'll have the summer to think about it, work hard and get back at it next year." Kessel had four goals and two helpers in the seven-game series.