Toronto Maple Leafs: Pursuing Forward Jordan Weal
By Justin Cait
Toronto Maple Leafs fans, if you haven’t heard of Jordan Weal yet, get to know his name now.
In an offseason filled with veteran players flooding the free agency market, the younger, lesser-known free agents, may go somewhat overlooked, possibly to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
One of those young talents is 25-year-old unrestricted free agent Jordan Weal.
As a teenager, Weal mustered a total of 384 points in 279 games over four years with the WHL’s Regina Pats.
He was a third-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2010 and shined with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs. Amidst the Monarchs’ 2015 Calder Cup Championship run, Weal led the team in playoff scoring (22 points in 19 games), but he never found his place on the big club.
As a result, he was traded to Philadelphia in a deal to acquire both Vincent Lecavalier and Luke Schenn in the following season.
Once in Philadelphia, 5-foot-10, 180-pound Weal struggled to find time with the Flyers, but remained dominant in the AHL, this time with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. His 47 points in 43 games was a team-best amongst forwards 25 years old and younger.
On June 26, Weal did not receive a Qualifying Offer from the Flyers, making him a pending UFA.
Weal is likely to be this offseason’s Jonathan Marchessault, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Meaning that teams are going to give him a chance, as he is already considered to be a breakout candidate in the 2017-18 season.
Fitting in Toronto
More from Editor In Leaf
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Nick Robertson Healthy and Ready
- Ryan Reaves Will Have Zero Impact on Toronto Maple Leafs
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Playing Max Domi In Top-Six a HUGE Mistake
- Top 10 Scandals in the History of the Toronto Maple Leafs
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Results from the Traverse City Prospects Tournament
There seems like there will be a few changes — probably two or three at maximum — for the Maple Leafs in the near future.
The main adjustments, that are more likely to happen than not, are the departure of Brian Boyle and the acquisition of a top-pairing defenseman.
Whether one happens, or the other, this will inevitably lead to holes in Toronto’s roster.
If Boyle decides to sign elsewhere, the fourth-line center position will be up for grabs. But if a No. 1 defenseman joins the Leafs, predicting who will be on their way out becomes a bit more difficult.
Rumors surrounding a trade involving James van Riemsdyk have been prevalent as of late.
With an abundance of wingers to spare, it could potentially open up another spot with the Leafs.
Why Weal?
In short, it’s a low-risk, high reward move.
After making less than $700,000 in all of his previous contracts, Weal will most likely cost a club anywhere from $925,000 to $1.5 million AAV in his next deal.
Weal is a flexible forward, as he can play both center and left wing effectively, proven at the AHL level.
Luckily for Toronto, the 2016-17 season saw an extremely low amount of injuries, however, that luck is surely not going to last through the upcoming season. Even if Weal doesn’t manage to crack a solidified roster spot, he is a great option as a team’s 13th or 14th forward.
Despite their recent bonus overages penalty, the Leafs easily have the cap space for this move.
Next: Targeting Justin Williams
Why not give it a go?