Toronto Maple Leafs: Top 10 Remaining UFA’s (6-10)
The Toronto Maple Leafs have already extended PTO’s to two players, neither of which fall on the Top Ten list you’re about to read.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are at 48 contracts but there are still decent depth players available in the free agent world, some of which may have already been extended PTO’s and some that haven’t.
It doesn’t hurt to take a look at players, even if it’s a Brandon Prust, because there’s no risk due to the lack of official contract.
With nine players, spanned over all eight teams, representing their countries at the World Cup of Hockey it makes sense to bring in players to fill out training camp. That’s exactly what the Leafs have done already with Prust, Hrabarenka and Jeff Glass.
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Are there any players left in the free agent pool that could come in on a PTO? Perhaps, but it’s a bit tricky if the Leafs actually want to sign any of these players.
Getting any closer to the 50 limit contract maximum than they already are would create issues with further trades – unless they made trades to reduce that 48 number before signing anyone.
Here are free agents 6-10 of the top ten remaining unrestricted free agents who could provide depth help to teams around the league, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, if they need it. These players could be good showcase players for the NHL trade deadline.
For the purpose of this post, the unrestricted free agent list from CapFriendly.com was used.
Next: 10. Steve Downie
10. Steve Downie
Age: 29
Position: Winger
Shoots: Right
Last Team/Cap Hit: Arizona – $1.75M
Downie appeared in 26 games for the Arizona Coyotes last season, recording six points. he also notched two points in eight games with the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League.
While neither of those point totals are going to impress anyone, it is late August.
Downie is a fourth line player in the NHL and while his numbers aren’t strong he’s a better option than a lot of players currently under contract around the league.
He adds a physical component to the team he’s on but teeters on the line of on-ice character from time to time.
He’s looking at a contract much lower in value than his last one, probably coming in under $1M for the season, if he gets a deal.
He wouldn’t be of much use to the Toronto Maple Leafs as a lot of younger players (Rychel), and some veterans (Greening), are already better than Downie at no additional cost to the team.
Next: 9. Nikita Nikitin
9. Nikita Nikitin
Age: 30
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Last Team/Cap Hit: Edmonton – $4.5M
Nikitin’s placement in the AHL for most of last year with Bakersfield is a product of his massive cap hit and general play not correlating.
He recorded one point in 11 games with Edmonton last year and 14 in 30 while in Bakersfield. Nikitin has never been much of an offensive threat outside of 2011-2012 with Columbus, but he is a serviceable third pairing defender.
With Kris Russell getting a lot of attention for being much lesser of a defender, Nikitin may be able to get himself a small one year deal before the season opens. His previously overpaid contract and the stigma of being an Edmonton Oiler may work against him, though.
He’s definitely not a fit for Toronto given their current group of defenders and the decisions they already have to make in house.
Next: 8. Joni Ortio
8. Joni Ortio
Age: 25
Position: Goaltender
Shoots: Right
Last Team/Cap Hit: Calgary – $600K
Ortio spent 22 games playing with the Calgary Flames and another 20 games with the Stockton Heat in the American Hockey League.
The Flames were a bad possession team again last year, which never helps a goaltender out. Even still, Ortio managed a 91.96 save percentage at 5v5, good enough to place him between Cam Talbot (Edmonton) and Jimmy Howard (Detroit).
Ortio is the best available goaltender remaining on the UFA list, but it still might not be enough to generate him an NHL contract until an injury happens.
The goalie position is a logjam and Ortio is on the outside looking in. If he does get a new deal it will likely be for the $600K he made last season.
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, he doesn’t fit. The Leafs just inked Jhonas Enroth to a deal to be the backup goaltender, which renders every other netminder useless.
Next: 7. Christian Ehrhoff
7. Christian Ehrhoff
Age: 34
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Last Team/Cap Hit: Chicago – $1.5M
Ehrhoff spent eight games with Chicago and 40 with Los Angeles last season and wasn’t much of a factor for either team.
He recorded 12 total points in the 48 games he played last year and was serviceable as a third pairing defender.
He’s looking at a third pairing role again at best, with a contract likely lower than the $1.5M at this point in the off-season. He’s worth another contract for a team looking for a good sixth defender or veteran depth for the season.
As far as the Toronto Maple Leafs are concerned, though, he’s a non-factor. The left side is already solved with Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner and Martin Marincin all shooting left. He would be a significant upgrade over Matt Hunwick but, unfortunately, that’s not going to happen.
Next: 6. Cody Hodgson
6. Cody Hodgson
Age: 26
Position: Center
Shoots: Right
Last Team/Cap Hit: Nashville – $1.05M
Hodgson had eight points in 39 games last year for the Nashville Predators while trying to redeem himself from the previous season in Buffalo.
His offense may be lacking, severely, but he’s an efficient third line player in general play.
There’s a case to be made regarding his shooting percentage, which has been disgustingly low the last two seasons at 4.6% and 4.7%. If he can get that number up his offense will start to become useful again.
Getting Hodgson at $1.05M again would be a decent deal for any team willing to roll the dice on a good depth player with a past history of shooting much, much better.
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The Leafs could take a chance on Hodgson if the lineup wasn’t full of tag-along veterans like Brooks Laich and Milan Michalek, as well as dead weight like Joffrey Lupul.
There’s still a chance they may look into a player like Hodgson, but it’s unlikely.