Several ex-Maple Leafs remain unsigned as free agent market slows considerably
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Four former Maple Leafs, including James van Riemsdyk, currently remain without contracts with free agency slowing to a crawl.
Free agent frenzy was an absolute whirlwind this year, and it was far more lucrative for players than we're used to seeing, with over a billion dollars in contracts being handed out since July 1st.
James van Riemsdyk, John Klingberg,
Tyson Barrie and Alexander Barabanov are among several former Leafs players who have yet to be able to secure a deal, which certainly lends to the concern for these players that a trip overseas might be the best option, if nothing materializes in relatively short order.
If these players do opt to ink new deals in the NHL, they'll be forced to do so at a highly discounted rate - perhaps even lower than their current projected deals.
As Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin reported this week, per AFP Analytics, here's how the contracts for JVR, Klingberg, Barrie and Barabanov project out.
JVR: 1 year, $1.2M
Klingberg: 1 year, $1.65M
Barrie: 1 year, $1.75M
Barabanov: 1 year, $1.2M
It's not likely that the Maple Leafs look at bringing back any of these players, but I suppose we should never say never. I'll be the first to admit that a JVR reunion could be fun, as the Leafs are still looking to upgrade their bottom six.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
POLL |
JUILLET 8 | 863 ANSWERS Several ex-Maple Leafs remain unsigned as free agent market slows considerably Should the Leafs bring James van Riemsdyk on a 1-year deal to help bolster the bottom six? |
Yes | 371 | 43 % |
No | 306 | 35.5 % |
Depends on the price tag | 186 | 21.6 % |
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