Three realistic roster adds for the Leafs this summer
It's that time of year again when every NHL fan awaits trade rumours to be confirmed and watches as their team becomes re-shaped for the upcoming season. It can be fun, but it can also be tense - and if you're a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, you know there are many alterations coming.
With the team as good as it was in the regular season, this summer may be more about augmenting an already strong core than it is about making moves for the sake of change. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that the Buds won't make a splash. With several intriguing options available to the Leafs in free agency this summer, let's discuss just a few potential offseason targets for the Buds.
Rickard Rakell - Anaheim Ducks
Dating back to the 2021 trade deadline, rumours have linked the Toronto Maple Leafs to 29-year-old left winger Rickard Rakell. The former Anaheim Ducks and most recently Pittsburgh Penguins winger could be an potential fit in the Leafs' top six. Now that he is a pending UFA, Dubus may have the opportunity to snag him for nothing but cap dollars this summer.
Pittsburgh will have to focus on re-signing Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, meaning Rakell could be on the move. The potential for him to play on a line with Tavares and Nylander would add another weaponized stick to an already potent offensive duo. With 20 goals and 21 assists totalling 41 points in 70 games, Rakell could be solid addition to the Leafs roster if the price is right. With his current salary of $3.789M, he may be looking for an increase on this, and Toronto should be cautious about spending too much on a long-term contract for a 29-year-old, but this does not rule him out as an offseason target - especially if Dubas can convince Rakell to sign for less than market value for a chance to compete for a Cup.
Keegan Kolesar - Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights have cap issues to contend with this offseason, meaning it is inevitable that we'll see a lot of player movement from them, including potential trades involving RFAs. 25-year-old right winger Keegan Kolesar is one potential candidate to move, and if the trade was right, he could be a great addition to the Leafs.
He was injured in the final week of the regular season, but it is likely he'll be free and clear in time for training camp this fall. Kolesar totalled 7 goals, 24 points and 246 hits in 77 games last season. His stats, including ice time, shooting percentage, and shots on goal, were actually above that of Wayne Simmonds last season. Assuming Dubas could land Kolesar and sign him for a reasonable price, he'd add an element of fear to the leafs' bottom 6 on a nightly basis, which is important given the fact that neither Clifford nor Simmonds are overly likely to play a full 82-game season.
Ville Husso - St. Louis Blues
With Jack Campbell about to enter free agency, Toronto needs to work out their goalie situation as soon as possible. If they don't re-sign Jack, they'll have to look elsewhere, and with the goaltending market quite restricted currently, UFA Ville Husso of the St. Louis Blues could be an option - and a good one. He might offer an effective tandem option, as he has proved he can be a starter in the NHL but won't come with the higher asking price that other UFA goalies will. The problem is, other teams have their eye on him for exactly the same reasons, meaning it would be a challenge to secure the best deal.
Husso might not be enough to solve the Leafs' goalie worries by himself, but he could certainly be part of the solution. His experience from being in a tandem with Jordan Binnington last season could set him up nicely for the Leafs without costing too much. As goaltending depth has to be a priority for Toronto, Husso may be another potential offseason target for Kyle Dubas. He could even wind up being a 1A if a big factor in his decision to sign somewhere else this summer is the role he'll be cast in.
