Toronto Maple Leafs: Forecasting a Quiet Free Agency
Setting Expectations for Opening Day of Free Agency in Toronto
July 1st is here and for hockey fans that means the start of Free Agency. After a strong season, Leafs Nation is excited to see how the Toronto Maple Leafs can bolster the roster heading into Training Camp.
The future looks bright and expectations are high, which has reportedly linked many big names to the team’s shopping list. By looking at 4 names linked to the Leafs we will try to prevent unrealistic expectations from ruining your holiday weekend.
Linked to Toronto Maple Leafs in Free Agency:
Patrick Marleau – LW – 37 years old
Joe Thornton – C – 38 years old
Kevin Shattenkirk – D – 28 years old
Cody Franson – D – 29 years old
Toronto Maple Leafs
Why am I not buying?
To review the same list of players, below are the arguments against each player signing in Toronto:
Patrick Marleau – LW – 37 years old
To be honest, Marleau signing a one year deal with the Leafs as a veteran offensive presence to play with Matthews and Nylander sounds great – but I am skeptical.
Skeptical to think the position will be filled from outside of the Leafs organization, unless one of James Van Reimsdyk or Leo Komarov is moved before the season starts (discussion for another day). My money is on Zach Hyman remaining in that role to start the season or Josh Leivo earning the chance to prove what he can bring to the ice in a higher profile role. I expect Marleau to finalize a deal in the early days of FA to stay on the West Coast.
Joe Thornton – C – 38 years old
I simply don’t see an offer pulling Joe out of California before he hangs up his skates to cap a Hall-of-Fame career. That argument aside, what role do the Toronto Maple Leafs pitch to the 38 year old? The center position in the top 6 is locked up between Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri, so would you push Tyler Bozak down the line up? If you are looking for veteran leadership and there is mutual interest, wouldn’t resigning Brian Boyle to a 2 year deal at a significantly lower cap hit be the smarter option? As hard as it is to say, I don’t see a role for Thornton in Toronto.
Kevin Shattenkirk – D – 28 years old
While this may be an unpopular opinion, I view Connor Carrick to have the potential to develop into a poor man’s Kevin Shattenkirk in the next few seasons and am excited to see how the 23 year old develops. Carrick’s presence, however, is not what would prevent Shattenkirk from signing in Toronto. Shattenkirk is simply an expensive square peg trying to fit into a round hole on the right side of our top 4.
If the Leafs are able to convince Shattenkirk to sign a 1 or 2 year deal while internal talent develops, this could be the most exciting storyline to emerge from the 2017 Free Agency. However, I do not expect such a high profile signing this weekend.
Related Story: Some Brian Boyle Buzz from TSN
Cody Franson – D – 29 years old
While not necessarily a big name, Franson may be the most realistic of the names on this list. Franson could bring size to the top 4 on what should be a fairly inexpensive short term contract. He emerged as a top defender in Buffalo this past season, but his foot speed could continue to be a concern and limit his ceiling in Toronto. Still, could Cody Franson be a Free Agency option to buy time for our prospects to develop and fight for a roster spot in future seasons?
Free Agency Forecast
Despite the big name rumors, I expect to the Leafs to focus internally by trying to resign the services of Brian Boyle and G Curtis McElinney. While the Leafs should kick the tires on bringing in Shattenkirk, the right side will be patrolled by either resigning Roman Polak or bringing back Cody Franson on a 1 or 2 year deal with an annual cap hit of $3-3.5m. While these moves may not highlight your weekend, they will be solid depth moves to ensure the Leafs build on a successful season and push for a deeper Playoff run in 2017-2018.