Toronto Maple Leafs: Top Ten Remaining UFA’s (1-5)
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.
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 1-5 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 comes via CapFriendly.com.
If you missed part one, UFA’s 6-10, click here.
Next: 5. Justin Fontaine
5. Justin Fontaine
Age: 28
Position: Winger
Shoots: Right
Last Team/Cap Hit: Minnesota – $1.05M
Fontaine was a decent player for the Wild last season. He’s a depth guy that is going to bring you more shot suppression than generation, which is fine for someone patrolling the fourth line.
Even though he doesn’t generate much in the shot attempts for department, he capitalizes on the small relative chances he gets.
His 5v5 P60 was 1.45 last year, good enough to put him in between Mikko Koivu and Jason Pominville on the Wild’s roster. He also managed a 1.07 primary points/60 at 5v5, which is another good number for a player giving you third/fourth line time.
He was trending up after his first two seasons before taking a step back in 2015-2016. There is offense in Fontaine that still may be extracted in the right situation. He had 55 and 56 points, respectively, in his two AHL seasons before joining the Wild in 2013-2014.
His step back is likely going to mean he takes a slight pay cut, which means he’s potentially going to be a bargain deal for someone looking for mature depth on the wing.
He’s a player that’s getting his start too late for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he could make a team very happy if they’re willing to take a chance.
Next: 4. Tomas Fleischmann
4. Tomas Fleischmann
Age: 32
Position: Winger
Shoots: Left
Last Team/Cap Hit: Chicago – $750K
Fleischmann has had up and down success in the NHL since entering the league in 2007-2008.
Last year he had 20 points in 57 games for the Montreal Canadiens before heading to Chicago for 19 games and registering only five points.
At even strength he’s a fourth line possession guy with third line offense. His 1.41 P60 at 5v5 puts him just behind Fontaine, but the 1.28 primary points per 60 brings him back up. There’s more offense in Fleischmann with slightly less possession metrics.
His value at last years $750K is worth the risk. There’s a chance that Fleischmann finds a more stable all-around game in the right situation, but a 25-30 point depth player that doesn’t hurt the team playing sheltered time is a good situation in late-August.
He, like most on this list, wouldn’t be able to take a spot off an up-and-coming young Leaf, but he’s got some injury insurance if he remains unsigned but interested in playing.
He likely sought too much money on July 1st to generate serious interest and is now sitting unemployed while other players caved on their demands.
Next: 3. Marek Zidlicky
3. Marek Zidlicky
Age: 39
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Last Team/Cap Hit: New York Islanders – $1.5M
Zidlicky, even at 39, still has some gas left in the tank. He’s still an effective third pairing defender at 5v5 that has gone unappreciated for the second straight off-season.
The Islanders picked him up last year and got steady play out of the aging veteran for 53 games. Father time is sure to catch up on him, but he’s a smart player that remains effective because of how he reads the game and the decisions he makes.
He had 16 points last year for the Isles and it’s likely his ceiling at this stage is 25 points, so dynamic offense isn’t going to be what you’re looking for if you want Zidlicky.
Zidlicky’s ideal fit is a team looking for a sixth defender that plays safe, or a team looking for a seventh defender to rotate in and out. He might only have one season left in him, but he’s a better option than most defenders left over.
His downfall is that he’s a left shot, when most teams are looking for a right shot.
For the Leafs he’s not a fit with how their defensive group is made up unless there’s a few trades in the mix in the near future – which is unlikely.
Next: 2. Brad Boyes
2. Brad Boyes
Age: 34
Position: Winger
Shoots: Right
Last Team/Cap Hit: Toronto – $700K
Boyes was very effective for the Toronto Maple Leafs last year. He registered 24 points in 60 games while producing an all-around game that was a solid third line scoring winger. He could also moonlight on the second line if there were injuries.
He had a 1.63 P60 at 5v5 and excellent shot suppression numbers. Boyes may be getting older, but he’s still a talented hockey player. It’s shocking that he hasn’t been scooped up by someone at this point.
His $700K cap hit last year was an absolute steal and he could be a great steal for another team this year.
The Toronto Maple Leafs could have very well signed him again as a showcase player but instead chose to go with a more long-term approach by signing Matt Martin.
He’s a fit for almost every team in the NHL if they’re looking for a good possession player for their depth and easily the best available forward remaining in the UFA group.
Next: 1. James Wisniewski
1. James Wisniewski
Age: 32
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Last Team/Cap Hit: Carolina – $5.5M
Wisniewski spent all but one game injured last season for the Hurricanes, and that’s the main reason he went unsigned to date.
Only Tampa Bay, who offered him a PTO, showed him legitimate interest so far.
In Wisniewski’s last full season, he was a legitimate top four defender. There’s no reason to believe that, if he’s healthy, much has changed.
He brings excellent possession and shot generation numbers with a good amount of offense. There’s a reason the possession savvy Lightning are bringing him to camp.
Next: Top 10 UFA's Remaining Part One: 6-10
Wisniewski is easily the best UFA available right now and if the Tampa Bay Lightning don’t sign him, someone will – so long as he’s healthy.
He wouldn’t have been a long-term solution for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and would have only taken away ice-time from Zaitsev, Carrick or whoever else plays this year as the Leafs evaluate their defensive corp.
That said, if he’s healthy, he’s going to make a team very happy this year. His cap hit won’t near the $5.5M it was on his last deal, but he’s still going to be a costly defender on a one year deal.
That wraps up the Top Ten UFA’s left. What do you think? Are there other players you would have swapped in? Switched up where the players landed? Let me know in the comment section.