Top 5 Free Agents the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Sign This Summer

With the Toronto Maple Leafs season in doubt, it’s possible that the off-season has already begun.

As we continue to self-isolate for the next few weeks, there’s a chance the Toronto Maple Leafs season will get cancelled, so we might as well look at the top five pending free agents the team should target this summer.

In recent years, the Leafs have feasted at the table of unrestricted free agency.

Signing John Tavares was perhaps the greatest signing in NHL history, while even bargain basement picks up like Jason Spezza have worked out wonderfully.

Speaking of…..

 5. Jason Spezza

I know what you’re thinking: Jason Spezza?!

Are you serious, Stephen? Oh, I’m dead serious when it comes to Spezza. At 36 years old, Spezza has been nothing but steady after Sheldon Keefe was hired and has been the perfect fourth line centre.

Spezza has 25 points in 58 games this year, but more importantly is playing the role similar to Patrick Marleau in the dressing room, only with the added benefit of still being above replacement level.

Spezza has scored at nearly a top line rate from the fourth line, put up solid advanced numbers and has been excellent on special teams.

Not only has he been a great leader, but you’ll be able to sign him for the league minimum again, which is crucial due to salary cap restrictions.

4. Justin Shultz

I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but the Toronto Maple Leafs could use a right-shot defenseman, and Shultz fits that mold well.

Despite being injury-prone over the last few seasons, Shultz is a top-four defenseman and comes with a winning background.

Shultz won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Penguins and was a key defenseman during their 16-17 championship, so it’ll be good to have another winner on the blue-line to go along with Jake Muzzin’s resume.

3. Wayne Simmonds

If there’s a player in the NHL who has found himself in the wrong situation for the last two years, it’s Wayne Simmonds.

When Simmonds was with the Philadelphia Flyers, he was a great addition paired on a line with Claude Giroux, and showed that he can play top-six minutes with one of the best players in the league.

Unfortunately, Simmonds has massively declined, but on a league minimum contract it might be worth seeing if he has anything left in the tank.

Simmonds will never be a player that will carry a line, but can play the Zach Hyman type role and be incredibly effective, or could once upon a time.

Simmonds also just signed a 1-year deal to bet on himself and it’s gone terribly with only eight goals in 68 games, so it’s possible that the Leafs could get a bargain with him on another one or two year deal.