Could the Leafs bring back a familiar face, who also happens to remain a UFA?
NHL free agency has had its moments so far with big names coming off the board, and we are only in the first month. Surprisingly in the forward group there are still big names out there, such as Phil Kessel, Nazem Kadri and Paul Stastny. Another name that is sure to draw some interest after a solid season in Pittsburgh is winger Evan Rodrigues.
Rodrigues is coming off a career year, putting up 19 goals, 24 assists and 43 points in 82 games this season. The Toronto native has played in eight NHL seasons so far.
One team who could use a player like Rodrigues would be the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs previously acquired Rodrigues in 2020 in exchange for Kaspri Kapanen. Unfortunately, the Leafs couldn't reach a deal with Rodrigues, who at the time was an RFA, so he opted to go to free agency, where he re-signed with Pittsburgh.
Since the 28-year-old had a career year, he is looking for a slight pay bump from the $1M he earned last season. Sam Tirpak, a scout and an outside consultant for Maple Leafs Insider, tweeted out that the Leafs had an interest in Rodrigues and wanted it to work at one point. Now that he is a free agent, he could be an option on the Leafs LW/RW on the second line, but the team would have to move money, namely Alexander Kerfoot.
I think Toronto could benefit from a player like Rodrigues. He is a guy you can move up and down in your lineup if need be, and the best part is he can also play center if Sheldon Keefe is ever in a pinch. If you're Kyle Dubas, this is likely a player you would want to at least check in on, given the fact that he has proven that he can give a team 40 points and he also shouldn't break the bank.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 22 | 313 ANSWERS Could the Leafs bring back a familiar face, who also happens to remain a UFA? Should the Leafs take a run at Evan Rodrigues in free agency after a breakout year in Pittsburgh? | ||
| Yes | 191 | 61 % |
| No | 122 | 39 % |
| List of polls | ||
