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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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20 Nov 1998: Rightwinger Steve Thomas #32 of the Toronto Maple Leafs Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport
20 Nov 1998: Rightwinger Steve Thomas #32 of the Toronto Maple Leafs Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport /

#8. Steve Thomas

Steve “Stumpy” Thomas is a unique individual to this list, because he actually fits our criteria twice.

The Leafs originally signed Thomas as undrafted free agent in 1984, then they signed him again in 1998 near the end of his career. In NHL history, I’m sure there’s not too many players that can say a team signed them twice as a Free Agent.

However, let’s start at the beginning of Thomas’ career. Similar to Bozak, if you look back at his career, it’s crazy to think that he was never drafted. He finished his career with 1235 games played and 933 points, and although he’s not currently in the Hockey Hall-of-Fame, many believe he should be.

During his first stint in Toronto, Thomas showed pretty quickly that he had NHL capable talent. He scored 20 goals in his first full season, then followed that up with 37 in his second season.

Although the Leafs weren’t able to hold onto him for any longer than that, Thomas continued his scoring ways when he returned to the team in 1998. In two seasons he scored 28 and 26 goals respectively and seemed to score every other game in the Leafs playoffs run those two years.

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