A look at some potential hometown discount players the Leafs could target in free agency
Since taking over as GM of the Leafs, Dubas has done a very good job of making the hockey hotbed a place players want to play, including hometown players. That started with the signing of John Tavares on the first day of free agency a few years ago. In recent years we've seen the likes of Joe Thornton, Wayne Simmonds, Jason Spezza, Michael Bunting, Mark Giordano and others return to Toronto to play for the Leafs on minimal salaries. As everyone knows, the Leafs, like many teams are in a cap crunch once again this offseason due to Covid and the flat cap, so let's take a look at some serviceable players that could return to the Leafs on "hometown discount" type deals.
Starting in goal, the Leafs could look at bringing in Scott Wedgewood. He has never been an expensive goalie by any means, making only 825K last season, but that is partially due to his inability to stay healthy. Last season he played a total of 34 games, which is the most he has played in an NHL season since being drafted in 2010. In total he has played 77 games, with a 23-33-14 record and respectable .904%. The Leafs could look at him as a backup behind whoever they decide is their starter after getting rid of Mrazek's contract and save themselves 2M in cap space by doing so.
On the back end, we touched on the possibility of P.K. Subban signing a hometown discount deal with the Leafs, so we will leave him off of this list. Another hometown defenseman that could be a good fit on the backend is Brendan Smith. Currently playing with Carolina, the older brother of Rielly Smith, Brendan has never been much of an offensive defenseman, but he brings the physicality the Leafs need on the blueline. He is also already on a near minimum salary deal, so it wouldn't be too hard to offer him the same type of deal. Smith is a left shot, but can play the right side if needed and given the log jam already on the Leafs blueline that is where he would fit. We know the Leafs will be making changes to the defense corps, with Holl likely being the odd man out. Getting rid of Holl and bringing in Smith would also help the Leafs save 1M in cap space.
Up front is where the Leafs could have a plethora of options to bring players home on discounted deals. A few players they could look at are Rielly Smith, Max Domi, Ryan Strome, Andreas Athanasiou, Mason Marchment and Nick Paul. The latter two will likely be looking to score big deals coming off of productive playoffs and regular seasons, so they are dream scenarios. Smith is coming off of a 5 year deal which saw him battle injuries this past season only skating in 56 games. At 30 years old, Smith is still young enough to get a long-term deal, but could go the Taylor Hall route with a 1 year "prove it" deal after having an off season. It won't be for a league minimum salary but it will be less than the $5M per season he was previously making. Smith would would be a legitimate top 6 winger for the Leafs. Not only that, but he is a playoff performer, posting 65 points in 84 career playoff games.
Andreas Athanasiou is known for his speed, which would fit well with how the Leafs play. Coming off of an injury plagued season that saw him play just shy of 30 games and register a measly 4 points he will have a hard time finding a deal paying him close to the $2.7M salary he earned last year. A potential reclamation project for the Leafs could add more size to the Leafs' bottom 6.
As it always is with the Leafs, the offseason will bring lots of change, praise and criticism for moves that are and aren't made, but nonetheless it is always interesting.
| POLL | ||
MAI 26 | 367 ANSWERS A look at some potential hometown discount players the Leafs could target in free agency Which GTA product would you like to see come home this summer? | ||
| Max Domi | 207 | 56.4 % |
| Ryan Strome | 60 | 16.3 % |
| Reilly Smith | 56 | 15.3 % |
| Other | 44 | 12 % |
| List of polls | ||
