Toronto Maple Leafs: Every Pending UFA in the Atlantic Division

Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins vs William Nylander of the Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins vs William Nylander of the Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Kevin Shattenkirk of the Tampa Bay Lightning (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Lightning

Kevin Shattenkirk

The Tampa Bay Lightning have a number of players about to hit unrestricted free agency. The highest-paid of the bunch is defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. He signed a one year $1.75 million deal with the Lightning and had an excellent season with them.

Shattenkirk played 70 games where he scored 8 goals and 26 assists. He also had an even-strength Corsi rating of 54.1, which was 2.9 better than his teammates. Shattenkirk’s ability to put together a fine season should turn heads around the league.

General managers are already well aware of what the blueliner was capable of but after his most recent campaign, his representatives will surely be getting multiple calls.

Shattenkirk would be a great addition to the Maple Leafs. He could play a top-four role and spend time on the powerplay. So long as they don’t overpay for his services, Shattenkirk would be a perfect fit in Toronto.

Zack Bogosian

Zach Bogosian is about to hit unrestricted free agency for the second time in a very short span. In late February, after failing to report to the Rochester Americans he was placed on unconditional waivers by the Buffalo Sabres.

When Bogosian cleared waivers, his contract was terminated and he became free to sign with the team of his choice. The defenseman picked Tampa. In a small sample with the team, eight games, Bogo looked rejuvenated and all his metrics rose. His short time in Tampa should actually help Bogosian going into the offseason.

Luke Schenn

A player who was involved in one of the Leafs top-five trades of the decade is about to become a UFA. Luke Schenn has gone from being considered an NHL stud to a depth piece on the Lightning’s blueline. Being paid league minimum,  Schenn was waived on Jan. 17 but was called back thanks to injuries. He also spent a part of the season in the press box as a healthy scratch and played six games for the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL.

Jan Rutta

Jan Rutta went into the NHL shutdown on the IR. At age 29, he played 33 games as a right defenseman for the Lightning and scored a goal and six assists. He was expected to return to the lineup in mid-March which means that he would be ready to play by the start of next season.