Toronto Maple Leafs: Free Agency 2015 Continues

Forwards

Is Nazem Kadri finally ready to assume the No.1 center role?

Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

For the purposes of making this interesting, we will assume Kessel, Phaneuf, Polak, Robidas and Bozak will all be moved by training camp without NHL roster players coming back. We will also assume that none of the teams UFA’s will be resigned. With that being said here is the Leafs’ depth chart as of now;

James Van Riemsdyk – Nazem Kadri – Joffrey Lupul

? – Peter Holland – ?

Leo Komarov – ? – Richard Panik

? – ? – ?

Extras: Casey Bailey, Zach Hyman

Prospects Who Could Push For Jobs: Josh Leivo (LW), Sam Carrick (C), Matt Frattin (RW)

For the sake of argument, let us assume that Josh Leivo and Matt Frattin take the wings on either side of Peter Holland on the second line. Zach Hyman will push Frattin/Panik/Bailey for a role on the RW, but will most likely start the year in the AHL.

We’ll also assume Sam Carrick gets the keys to the Leafs 4th line center job and Casey Bailey will fit on his RW. This leaves the Leafs with a hole at 3rd Line Center, possibly at 2nd Line Right Wing if Frattin/Panik/Hyman/Bailey can’t step into a scoring role, and at 4th Line Left Wing.

Next: Defence and Goaltending

Defence and Goaltending

Apr 4, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) controls the puck while stopping during the third period of the Boston Bruins 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Morgan Rielly – ?

Jake Gardiner – ?

? – ?

?

Jonathan Bernier

James Reimer

Extras: TJ Brennan (D), Tim Erixon (D), Martin Marincin (D),

Prospects: Stuart Percy (D), Petter Granberg (D)

UPDATED: Leafs Sign Matt Hunwick to 1.2Mper 2year deal

Obviously having Phaneuf, Polak and Robidas all gone

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by training camp is unlikely, especially due to reports that Babcock wants the chance to work with Dion Phaneuf. Again, we’ll assume for this scenario that they all get moved and no NHL players come back in those deals.

The Leafs resigned AHL puck moving ace TJ Brennan to a one-way deal and he will likely get a chance to crack the NHL roster and help Rielly and Gardiner run the power play. Tim Erixon is an inexpensive depth No.7/8 guy and new comer Martin Marincin is beloved by advanced stats guys and most Edmonton fans, although he never quite managed to crack the Edmonton roster, he will be given every chance to make the Leafs.

Stuart Percy won a spot out of training camp last year and looked like a seasoned pro for the first month, but faded quickly. For arguments sake we’ll give Marincin and Percy the No.5/6 jobs and Erixon the No.7 job as an injury replacement, this leaves holes on the top pairing and 2nd pairing.

Next: Areas Of Need

Free Agent Areas Of Need

Is Matt Frattin finally ready to play in a scoring role in the NHL?

Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

So the holes the Maple Leafs have to fill assuming all the players mentioned before are moved out and no NHL talent is brought back in those trades (unlikely, salary dumps will be coming back for Kessel and Phaneuf at least) look like this;

2nd Line Right Wing – Not critical need, have prospects who “could” fill the role

3rd Line Center – A veteran voice in the locker room and defensively capable penalty killing expert would be a boon here, besides Sam Carrick there are no internal options

4th Line Left Wing – Perfect spot for a buy low deal, where one of the recent spat of buyouts could be candidates to sign a low deal and increase their value league wide

No.2 Defenceman and D-partner for Morgan Rielly – Critical need, but the Leafs WILL NOT find this kind of player in Free Agency

No.4 Defenceman and D-partner for Jake Gardiner – A babysitter for Jake Gardiner would be nice and allow Babcock to get the most out of him, Petter Granberg might have been an option but a lower body injury will keep him out for the next 4 months at least

UPDATED: Leafs Sign Matt Hunwick to 1.2Mper 2year deal

Next: 2nd Line RW - Free Agent Options

2nd Line RW – Free Agent Options

Feb 13, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Brad Boyes (24) during the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars shut out the Panthers 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Williams – RW – 33Years Old – 18Goals 41Points 81Games

Mr.Game 7 himself is a valuable veteran and playoff addition to any team but he IS NOT a good fit with the Leafs. at 33 years old he doesn’t fit the rebuild model and he wants to win now, he’ll be long retired by the time the Leafs are making a push

Chris Stewart – RW – 27Years Old – 14Goals 36Points 81Games

The constantly “going to break out this year” power forward is a hulk on a skates and at 27 years old fits a bit more of the age group the Leafs are looking at. However, he hasn’t won anything and isn’t considered a fantastic mentor or playoff performer so he doesn’t help develop the Leafs young guns. Not a fit.

Martin St.Louis – RW – 40Years Old – 21Goals 52Points 74Games

The small feisty Lightning star is clearing losing some of his dynamic skills and speed with age as his totals plummeted in his first full season with the NewYork Rangers. He wants to win now and I doubt the rebuild in Toronto draws his interest.

Brad Boyes – 33Years Old – 14Goals 38Points 78Games

The former Leafs 1st round pick was bought out by the struggling to score Florida Panthers and is still capable of putting the puck in the net. He is a savvy veteran and known as a good locker room guy and would be a fantastic buy low option for the Leafs to insulate some of their young prospects.

There aren’t a lot of high end forwards available and no one but Brad Boyes is a great fit for the Leafs.

Next: 3rd Line Center, Number One Priority

3rd Line Center – Free Agent Options

Mar 14, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Shawn Matthias (27) battles for the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri (43) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Shawn Matthias – C – 27 Years Old – 18Goals 27Points 78Games

Very capable and underrated 3rd line scoring center, Matthias was let go by the Canucks as his skills will be in demand. He can score, he works hard on+off the ice and he is rumoured to be a good locker room guy.

Cody Hodgson – C/RW – 25Years Old – 6Goals 13Points 78Games

The former 10th Overall pick by the Vancouver Canucks had issues with management and was moved to Buffalo where it was assumed he would thrive. He didn’t, in fact he struggled so much this season that he only scored 6 goals and was demoted to the 4th line for much of the season. He is a prime buy low candidate, especially if the Leafs still believe he can reach some of that offensive potential.

Shawn Horcoff – C – 36Years Old – 11Goals 29Points 76Games

The former Oilers captain and standup guy was traded to Dallas where he spent two seasons as a solid No.3 checking center who occasionally chipped in on offence. He was surpassed by Cody Eakins and spent most of the year on the wing or 4th line. He still has a little in the tank, has played in Canada and loved it.

Honourable Mentions: Antoine Vermette, Brad Richards

Next: Bargain Bin Hunting, 4th Line LW

4th Line Left Wing – Free Agent Options

Jan 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Daniel Winnik (26) celebrates his goal in the first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

This is more of a bargain bin hunt as the Leafs can afford to bring in a down on his luck forward on a low cost deal. The possibly flip the player at the deadline if they have a good start to the season.

Sean Bergenheim – LW/RW – 31years Old – 9Goals 19Points 55Games

Possession stats darling and playoff warrior

Daniel Winnik – LW – 30Years Old – 9Goals 34Points

Great team first guy, was one of the only Leafs to get angry and show they wanted to be here before he was traded to Pittsburgh.

Honourable Mentions: Erik Cole, Lee Stempniak

Next: A Babysitter For Jake Gardiner

Babysitter for Jake Gardiner

Dec 6, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) with the puck as Vancouver Canucks right wing Linden Vey (7) defends at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Canucks 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

UPDATED: Leafs Sign Matt Hunwick to 1.2Mper 2year deal

Matt Hunwick could potentially slide into the Number 4 job, but realistically he is a bottom pairing Dman. He most likely pairs in with Marincin or Percy to hold down the bottom pairing.

Cody Franson – RD – 27Years Old – 7Goals 36Points

He’s big, he’s mean, he hits and he has a deadly half-clapper from the point allowing him to be a power play monster. Some skating issues, but he’s proven that with his active stick and solid positioning it isn’t usually an issue for him. Not an ideal babysitter for Gardiner, but they were a pairing 2 seasons ago and were the Leafs best down the stretch. All about the money for the Leafs here, if they can get him under 5.5M and under 5 years, then it is a great fit. Anything higher or longer is an overpayment and takes him out of being a fit for the team. Could be a good temporary top pair stop-gap until the Leafs can acquire or develop one of their own.

Honourable Mentions: Matt Bartkowski, Zybnek Michalek

Next: Recap

Recap

It will be up to Shanahan and Babcock to bring the Leafs through free agency until a permanent GM is hired.

Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t expect the Leafs to be very active in the free agent market. Besides the lack of holes on their roster, the market is also very weak and lacks any kind of high end and impact level talent. If the Leafs are making noise over the next few months it will be in the form of trades… hopefully.

UPDATED: Leafs Sign Matt Hunwick to 1.2Mper 2year deal

Cody Franson, Brad Boyes and Shawn Horcoff or Shawn Matthias are the best fits for the Maple Leafs. We are more likely to see bargain bin hunting with the likes of Brad Boyes, Blake Comeau and the massive list of recently bought out players than a major name off the free agent list.

Here’s hoping for some interesting moves if nothing else, we’ll continue to update you throughout the day and weeks until training camp. Feel free to comment below or give me a shout on twitter @TorrinBatchelor and tell me who you think the Leafs should sign!

Next: Leafs Trade Phil Kessel To Penguins

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