Toronto Maple Leafs: Editor in Leaf Monday Mailbag

The Toronto Maple Leafs and their free agent acquisitions.

The Toronto Maple Leafs made a splash in this year’s free agency and if you’re tired of talking about it, I’m sorry.

We have to talk about it because, well, it’s important.

This week, I’ve been riddled with questions about whether or not I think the three recent free agent acquisitions are good for the future or not.

I think, for the most part, I’ve made my opinions known on that.

However, for this mailbag, I did receive a couple questions that I think can still drive some interest, so I’ll include them here.

And I have to apologize for how late this mailbag is getting out, been a wild day.

Anyways, let’s get right to it.

Ron Hainsey

More from Editor In Leaf

Does Hainsey have anything to contribute, especially at his age, that’s worth his pay grade?

– Jon Swarn

Yes, absolutely.

Okay, kind of.

Here’s the thing about Ron Hainsey.

I know he’s old for an NHL player, but he’s still a competitor and that’s what this Leafs team is made of, right?

That and a crazy amount of raw talent.

Hainsey can mentor these guys and $3 million a year is a lot, but it’s only for two years.

If you’re worried about the cap situation, there’s no need to worry.

Please refer to this article for everything you need to know about the Leafs cap.

I think Hainsey is a slight upgrade on Matt Hunwick and his Stanley Cup run will help with things as he transitions from being a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Leafs.

Patrick Marleau

I know you mentioned that it’s difficult to throw him in the lineup without throwing someone out, but in a perfect world, where does Marleau fit?

– Tim

I’ll just dance around the trading someone topic because you know my thoughts on that.

It’s hard to say, I’ve never really watched Patrick Marleau play a lot because he’s been in the Western Conference his whole career, almost my entire life.

But he strikes me as a big scoring winger, kind of like James van Riemsdyk.

Technically it should be the other way around, but you get my point.

If van Riemsdyk is staying put, for now, I wouldn’t want to break up his line with Tyler Bozak and Mitchell Marner.

That being said, I’d like to see Marleau skate with Auston Matthews and William Nylander.

Where do you throw Zach Hyman, though?

That’s the thing, this move creates a dominoes effect.

Thanks and Next Week

Thank you for the questions sent in this week.

Please keep sending them in to Twitter or by email, acboehmer@liberty.edu and I look forward to our next mailbag on Monday, July 10, 2017.

I’ll be back at my home in Virginia for next week’s mailbag.

Next: We Have an App!

Lastly, Happy Canada Day (late), Happy Indepence Day (America) and a happy birthday to my little niece, Reese who turns three tomorrow.

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