Top UFA target for the Leafs signs elsewhere on day two of free agency

Strome was drafted third overall in the 2015 NHL entry draft by the Arizona Coyotes. He was taken two picks after Connor McDavid, and one pick before Mitch Marner. Obviously now looking back, this was a big win for Toronto.

Strome stayed with the Coyotes organization for parts of four seasons. On November 25th of 2018 he was traded, along with Brendan Perlini, to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Nick Schmaltz. Strome had an instant impact in Chicago, producing 51 points (17 goals & 34 assists) in 58 games. It took four years since he was drafted, but Strome had found his stride for the first time at the NHL level.

Strome spent the following three seasons in Chicago. Despite a productive season last year which saw Strome put up 48 points (22 goals & 26 assists) in 69 games, the Hawks have decided to go into a full rebuild mode and not offer the 25-year-old Strome a qualifying offer. This allowed him to walk into unrestricted free agency this off-season.

Many felt Strome could be a good fit here in Toronto. He is a big bodied centermen who has shown he can produce points, and is from here. If the Leafs wanted to shift Captain John Tavares to the wing, Strome seemed liked an ideal fit to take over the second line center position. With him off the market, the Leafs will have to look elsewhere if they want to improve the current forward group.