The Toronto Maple Leafs have had an eventful first few days of free agency, watching a number of UFAs walk out the door and sign lucrative new deals elsewhere and filling some of the holes left by departing players.
Among the top names who have left Toronto are Ryan O'Reilly, Luke Schenn, Michael Bunting and Noel Acciari. Coming in to replace them are Tyler Bertuzzi, John Klingberg, Max Domi and Ryan Reaves. Klingberg aside, the Leafs really seemed to target a specific "type" this year, and now they'll be a lot harder to play against next season.
On Monday, the team took to social media to officially unveil the new numbers that will be worn by the four newest Leafs on the organization's Twitter account. Much to everyone's disappointment, Domi will not be wearing his dad's #28. He'll be donning #11 next season instead, last worn by Colin Blackwell in 2022. Prior to Blackwell, #11 was worn by Zach Hyman, of course.
Klingberg will assume Justin Holl's #3, becoming the 33rd Leaf to wear that number. Of course, most will relate #3 to ex-Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf. Meanwhile, Tyler Bertuzzi will retain his #59 - the same number he has worn since his very first training camp in the NHL with Detroit - and Ryan Reaves will become the first Leaf in history to wear his #75.
