Toronto Maple Leafs: Evaluating the Qualified RFA’s

Yesterday afternoon, the Toronto Maple Leafs extended qualifying offers to each of their pending RFA’s.

The group in question consists of William Nylander, Andreas Johnsson, Martin Marincin, Frederik Gauthier, Justin Holl and Miro Aaltonen. Yep, that’s all of them.

Some are no-brainers. Others, not so much. Let’s take a dip into what qualifying them means.

Miro Aaltonen

Qualifying Aaltonen projects as more of a security measure than anything else.

Focusing on the immediate future, Aaltonen’s agent already confirmed his client will be returning to the KHL for next season, meaning he’ll obviously be unavailable to the Leafs or at least a year.

Still, the shifty centre put forth a strong North American debut with the Marlies in 2017-18, one which culminated in a Calder Cup. In fact, he’s even expressed an openness towards returning to the NHL at some point down the line.

Retaining his rights is just smart asset management.

Although, even if Aaltonen did choose to stick around, his odds of cracking the Leafs roster out of camp were slim. The lone centre spots in the lineup currently ripe for the taking are at 3 and 4C. And, in his 3 years as Leafs head coach, Mike Babcock has repeatedly shown a preference towards stacking his fourth line with hulking pivots who are more than capable of winning draws.

A sentence no one would use to describe Aaltonen.

Yes, Aaltonen did produce solid offensive totals in the AHL. That’s not in question. Rather, it’s his work inside the faceoff dots, or lack thereof, that are quite troubling.

Faceoffs may be rapidly losing their necessity as the game of moves forward. But, capable NHL centres should at least place within striking distance of the 50% success mark.

Aaltonen’s most recent stint overseas saw him finish in the 39% range.

So, let him return to the KHL. He’ll likely earn big minutes and could even tweak aspects of his game in the process. Then, if he’s still open to a return in the years to come and there’s a need for his services, the Leafs have his rights.

William Nylander

There’s not too much to be said about this one, really.

William Nylander is a star. An undeniable piece of the Leafs core. Qualifying him is even less than a no-brainer. I’m actually quite sure the human body is hardwired to just do it automatically.

Delving into Willy’s next deal is a post in and of itself. So, if I were in charge, and thank god I’m not, locking him up at a Pastrnakian cap hit ASAP would be my undeniable first priority.

The dude will take some leaps next year. Anything under $7 million will quickly look like a steal.

Andreas Johnsson

Andreas Johnsson is in a similar position as Nylander, albeit to a lesser degree.

The 23-year-old is fresh off a dominating postseason run for the Marlies, his play basically confirming that he’s a certified lock for the big leagues in 2018-19. He’s more than earned it.

Still, there’s a contract to figure out. What’s great about Johnsson needing a new deal at this present moment is he currently lacks the tangible track record of a Nylander. It’s tough to ask for the moon when basing your production off a 9-game NHL sample size.

This puts the Leafs in a prime position. Ink him long-term at a stupidly low cap figure, then sit back as the deal morphs into one of the league’s biggest bargains.

Get on it, Kyle.

Justin Holl

I covered Holl’s odds at NHL employment pretty heavily over the weekend, so there’s not much more to be said on my end.

Basically, his role moving forward hinges on the type of blueline the Leafs seek to deploy.

Were they to opt for a unit comprised entirely of mobile, possession-driving D, then Holl likely fits in swimmingly. On the other hand, if they go in the opposite direction, loading their third pair with Roman Polak-sized boat anchors, then Holl’s role is shrouded in doubt.

Personally, I’m of the belief that Holl can be a fine NHL defenceman.

No, he won’t blow anyone away. But he’s a fine puck mover and an excellent skater. Not to mention, his right shot fills an organizational need.

If Dubas can lock him in at a slightly lower figure than Connor Carrick’s, then we’re laughing.

Martin Marincin

This is a tricky one. Namely, because Leafs Nation as a whole is pretty down on Martin Marincin.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but Marincin was one of the AHL’s best defencemen this past season. Furthering his elite ability to disrupt zone entries, he displayed a never-before-seen habit of jumping into the rush. And, perhaps most importantly, Marincin appeared comfortability with the puck appeared lightyears ahead of what it ever was before.

The brain farts responsible for his infamy came very few and extremely far between.

Unfortunately, the third pairing LHD opening will have its fair share of suitors in training camp, and Marincin is certain to be amongst them. If he fails to win the role, the most likely scenario, far worse options as a 7^th D could be had. He’s earned another look.

I dig it.

Frederik Gauthier

Boy, oh boy. Frederik Gauthier is truly the pandora’s box of this RFA crop.

The former first-round pick has done very little to muster any confidence in him attaining a future in the NHL throughout his time as a professional. After earning brief call-ups in both the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, Gauthier was downright putrid in his most recent audition this past year.

An above average shutdown centre at the AHL level, Gauthier is nothing short of an offensive black hole. Think I’m being harsh? Across four years of professional hockey experience, Gauthier has cracked the 20-point barrier precisely zero times.

Yeah, that’s horrible. And I’m not even factoring in how incapable at driving possession he is.

Still, Freddy’s a centre. As tough to admit as it is, the position is an organizational need. Even more notable is that Gauthier carries with him the pedigree of a former first-rounder to pair with his daunting stature. Both of which are attractive qualities to the NHL’s more logically-challenged executives.

I’d be shocked if the Leafs can’t squeeze a later-round pick in exchange for The Goat.

Next: Kyle Dubas, The Trade Down Guy

Thanks for reading!