Four additional free agents that may entice the Maple Leafs this summer
With the free agent frenzy essentially behind us as we kick into the doldrums of summer, there are still some viable names left on the market. Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko are at the top of the list, but the cost of either would probably be prohibitive for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
With the free agent signings of Tyler Bertuzzi, Ryan Reaves, John Klingberg and Max Domi, the Maple Leafs find themselves close to $9 million over the salary cap with Ilya Samsonov still requiring a new deal. Samsonov filing for arbitration helps the Leafs because that would open up a second buyout window which, one would have to assume, would be used on Matt Murray if he isn't traded.
The Leafs would still have to clear some additional space and maybe that means moving on from William Nylander - but teams are allowed to be 10% over the salary cap until the start of the season. With Jake Muzzin being LTIR eligible once again, the Leafs shouldn't be too hard pressed to find ways to become cap compliant.
In saying that, there are definitely some good players available in the open market that could help push the Maple Leafs over the hump. Danton Heinen, Tomas Nosek, Caleb Jones, and Matthew Dumba are all players who could help with depth and veteran leadership.
Heinen has 7 years of experience with 413 games under his belt with the Boston Bruins, Anaheim Ducks, and Pittsburgh Penguins. For his career he has averaged 13:35 TOI, has scored 70 goals and 176 points, and is only a year removed from his career-best in the goals department with 18. He can play both the center position and on the wing and would be a solid top-9 option.
Nosek isn't the flashiest player, nor is he the most creative, but he works hard and does exactly what is expected out of him. He has put up 42 goals and 101 points in 398 games over the last 8 seasons. Nosek has also gathered a face-off winning percentage of 54.7% over his career, including 59.3% last season and is also a very handy penalty killer.
Jones has quietly put up some good analytical seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks over the last couple of years. The 26-year-old put up a career-high 16 points this past season, averaged 19:13 TOI, blocked 118 shots, and delivered 116 body checks. He could be a perfect addition to the bottom pair and would come at a relative discount.
Dumba is one of the more experienced UFAs remaining on the market after having spent his entire 10-year career in Minnesota. In 598 games he has 79 goals and 236 points, including a career-high 50 points in 2017-18. His one knock has been that he has spent significant time on the injured list since his breakout season and his numbers have experienced a considerable drop.
Dumba has 108 points in 288 games over the last 5 seasons, including a career-low 14 points in 79 games this past season. However, he is still a minute munching defenseman who can play in all situations, block shits, finish checks, and would fit right into the top-4 with relative ease, when healthy.
At this point, it appears far more likely that any further additions made to the Leafs' roster will come as a result of a trade than another UFA signing - at least until later in the summer when players get desperate and their asking prices come way down. But, if the Leafs do decide to dip back into the free agent market, these are 4 names I'd expect to draw some interest.
| POLL | ||
10 JUILLET | 299 ANSWERS Four additional free agents that may entice the Maple Leafs this summer Do you think the Leafs are likely to re-engage with free agents or pull off a trade for their next addition? | ||
| Trade | 276 | 92.3 % |
| UFA signing | 23 | 7.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
