Insider reveals a potential problem with the Leafs getting Sandin signed, predicts a whale of a UFA could land in Toronto
We are now just 4 days out from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and 10 days out from the the start of free agency and everyone is waiting with baited breath to see which dominos will begin to fall first. For the Leafs, priority number one remains goaltending. Priority number two likely remains getting Rasmus Sandin extended, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the Buds won't make a big splash in free agency for a top six forward as well.
On his most recent edition of 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman brought up the names Matt Murray, John Gibson and Darcy Kuemper in relation to the Leafs. He revealed that the Leafs had actually made a play for Murray when he was sent down to the AHL this season, but that things may have changed on that front. On Gibson, Friedman believes that the reason a Gibson to Toronto deal had never occurred in the first place was because the Ducks did not believe the Leafs had the right pieces to swing a deal.
The most interesting name on that list is Stanley Cup winning goaltender Darcy Kuemper. If he does leave Colorado, it's really anyone's guess where he'll go, if anywhere, but Friedman did say that he's curious to see whether Kuemper might have an interest in Toronto if he hits free agency next week.
When it comes to Rasmus Sandin, we recently saw Timothy Liljegren sign a 2-year deal worth $1.4M per season. If Sandin had come out and signed an identical or similar deal in the days following, I don't think it would have shocked anyone. However, the fact that he has not is raising some eyebrows.
Friedman's sources have indicated that the Leafs/Sandin negotiations are "trickier" than the team hoped they'd be. Whether that means Sandin is looking for a longer-term deal or a higher AAV is up for debate. Personally, I think where he fits in the lineup is probably the biggest issue. We saw him scratched for the entire postseason, buried behind Rielly, Muzzin and Giordano on the left side of the depth chart. With all three of those aforementioned veterans coming back next season, I wouldn't be shocked if Sandin wants a clearer picture of where he fits into the lineup before he agrees to sign. There are some of the mindset that he's probably going to end up playing on the right side, but if he prefers not to play the right side, therein lies the problem. Sandin could also sign an offer sheet if he is presented with a better offer from another team next week.
Finally, Friedman pinpointed two names who the Leafs may be able to lock up in free agency who might be an excellent fits, plus an additional long shot prediction for a massive UFA name. In terms of who might fit should they become available on July 13th, Friedman believes Valeri Nichushkin is the best fit for the Buds on the wing in the top 6. He also named Max Domi as a possible fit.
As for the wild prediction, Friedge suggested that the Leafs could move out a big contract and take a swing on Claude Giroux if he decides to leave the Panthers and pursue an opportunity elsewhere this summer. How long or how much for Giroux would be a huge question mark, but given his advanced age, I'm not sure the Leafs would want to go long term, and with their cap situation already being a tight one, short term and big dollars may not be a viable play either. Still an interesting name nevertheless.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 3 | 151 ANSWERS Insider reveals a potential problem with the Leafs getting Sandin signed, predicts a whale of a UFA could land in Toronto What do you think happens with Rasmus Sandin this summer? | ||
| Re-signs | 75 | 49.7 % |
| Gets traded | 52 | 34.4 % |
| Signs an offer sheet | 24 | 15.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
