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Top 10 Best UFA Signings in Toronto Maple Leafs History

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 15: Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares #91 looks on against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on October 15, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 15: Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares #91 looks on against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on October 15, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 15: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs.. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 15: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs.. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

#2. John Tavares

It took a seven-year $77 million contract, but the Leafs finally signed that All-Star centre they’d been dreaming about for years.

After missing out on the likes of Steven Stamkos and Brad Richards, it’d been a while since the Leafs signed a marquee UFA.

However, the time finally arrived when John Tavares wanted to come home and play for his favorite team growing up.

In 11 seasons, Tavares has never had a year where he’s scored less than 24 goals in a season. That even includes two seasons where he only played 48 and 59 games.

The current captain of the Leafs is one of the top players in the NHL and has been as consistent as almost anyone else in the league over the past decade.

In his first season with Toronto, Tavares displayed no nerves scoring a career high 47 goals and 88 points. Although his second season has regressed, he’s still on pace for 33 goals and 80 points if the season were to continue.

It’ll be interesting to see how the next five years plays out from his monster contract, but Tavares doesn’t seem like a player who will slow down.

The future Hall-of-Famer wants nothing more than to bring a Stanley Cup home and it wouldn’t be shocking if his number ’91’ is retired by Toronto at the end of his career.

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