4. Melker Karlsson – 29 years old – C/RW
2019-20 stats – 61 GP – 6 G – 6 A – 12 PTS – 45.57 CF%
Career stats – 396 GP – 60 G – 52 A – 112 PTS
At my number four spot I have the current San Jose Shark, Melker Karlsson. I really don’t see the Toronto Maple Leafs putting an effort out there and trying to sign Melker Karlsson in free agency but hey, you never know.
He will obviously be a lot cheaper than a guy like Alex Galchenyuk as Melker is currently making $2M on the last year of his current deal.
Karlsson has solidified himself as a fourth line player with the San Jose Sharks over the years, playing in six seasons and only putting up a career high of 24 points in his rookie year.
He isn’t a terrible player to pick up if you’re the Toronto Maple Leafs and you lose players like Spezza and Gauthier who can play that 4C, however there are better choices out there.
If Karlsson ends up in Toronto his role will be very limited as he’ll more than likely only play fourth line minutes with a team as stacked as the Toronto Maple Leafs. Their power play is already one of the best in the league, as well as their penalty kill as some great guys on it already. (Stats from NHL.com)