Maple Leafs running out of time to address an important roster need this summer
The Toronto Maple Leafs did plenty of work to address needs on the blueline and in net, but they still have one important area of need to address this summer; they still need a 3rd line center.
While most of the focus for Leafs GM Brad Treliving this summer being on fixing his blueline and augmenting his goalie tandem, which will feature Joseph Woll as the 1A in Toronto, the Leafs did not really add anyone of consequence up front. Now, with only weeks remaining until training camp and most of the best UFA's already having signed, the Leafs are in the troubling position of entering this season without having addressed the 3C position.
The most obvious hope is that rookie sensations Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan is ready to take a big step this year in training camp and earn a roster spot. Of course, Cowan is likely a winger at the NHL level, but Minten, on the other hand, seems to have the size and intelligence to play down the middle.
The Leafs do have Pontus Holmberg, who played as the team's 3C at points last season, and they also have the ability to run David Kampf as the 3C, with Holmberg shifting to 4C, which may very well be a better spot for him.
Alternatively, they do also have the newly-extended Max Domi who can play center, but I think it's been well-established that he's more impactful and productive as a winger.
Taking a brief glimpse at the remaining UFAs, there are a couple who could potentially offer an answer to the Maple Leafs, Tyler Johnson being one of them. Yes, he's a small forward, but he did produce 17 goals and 31 points for the Chicago Blackhawks last season across 67 games. At 34, he's not getting any younger, but as a stop gap 3C for a year at around the league minimum, there's not much to dislike about a deal like that.
If the Leafs really wanted to go "full villain" mode, they could look to former Florida Panthers pivot, Nick Cousins. The controversial pivot has been involved in some questionable exchanges over the past few seasons, and a lot of teams hate playing against him. Cousins is not overly productive, though, being limited to just 7 goals and 15 points across 69 games last season.
Treliving and company still have a few weeks to work with here before training camps open up. If they want to try to adresss their needs at 3C, I'd be in favour of giving Tyler Johnson a shot, but if the plan is to give Fraser Minten the first opportunity to win the spot, I'm sure not many would be upset about that, as some young blood is never a bad thing.
Source: PuckPedia Current remaining free agents
| POLL | ||
2 AOUT | 1564 ANSWERS Maple Leafs running out of time to address an important roster need this summer Should the Leafs consider signing Tyler Johnson to play as the team's 3C next season? | ||
| Yes | 525 | 33.6 % |
| No | 541 | 34.6 % |
| Give Minten a shot there | 498 | 31.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
