Potential 2020 Off-Season Toronto Maple Leafs Center Upgrades
When the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Auston Matthews first overall, they developed a fantastic 1-2 center punch.
The duo of Matthews and Nazem Kadri at the time was one of the better in the league. Add in a third-line pivot in Tyler Bozak and the Toronto Maple Leafs were one of the deepest teams down the middle.
Then, when others could not believe Toronto could add to that studded center group, they swapped out Bozak and replaced him with John Tavares.
Matthews – Tavares – Kadri down the middle downright scared opponents. That trio was one of the best, if not the best, center groups in the entire league, with the potential to challenge for ‘greatest of all time’ status.
Unfortunately, Kadri was ill-suited to the roll of third-line centre because there just isn’t enough ice time to go around. His best ability – scoring – became superfluous on the offensively stacked Leafs.
Add in, two suspensions that played a major role in back-to-back first-round exits for Toronto ultimately forced Kadri out of favour with management as they looked for ways to move on from the London, Ont. native.
And just as quickly as the Toronto Maple Leafs formed a ‘Big 3’ down the middle, they lost it just as fast.
Alex Kerfoot was brought in and many thought he could be an ideal Kadri replacement. While Kadri remains the superior player, Kerfoot became the Leafs best defensive forward, and provided some much needed balance to the roster.
But injuries forced Kerfoot to the wing, in a top six role, and with escalating salaries for Zach Hyman and Ilya Kerfoot on the horizon, perhaps that is where Kerfoot belongs.
With so much uncertainty at the third line center position and the want to create the monstrous trio they once had, the Leafs may look to upgrade their bottom-six this offseason.
As a result, Kyle Dubas and Co. should be looking at these three down the middle options to target in the 2020 offseason.
3. Radek Faksa
2019 – 20 Stats: 11 goals – 9 assists – 20 points – 66 games
Age at Start of 2020 – 21 Season: 26
Contract: 2020 RFA
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs Might Want Him:
As a former 13th overall pick, Faksa, at only 26, could still be developing his game. He has mostly been deployed as shutdown center in his career with Dallas, registering a 72.53% DZFO% this past season, tops among forwards (stats; TheAthletic).
He also only gave up 2.15 goals against/60, right in between defensive stalwarts Sean Couturier and Anze Kopitar, and if he were to come to Toronto, one might think he could tap more into his offensive side.
Plus, at 6’3”, 220 pounds, Faksa provides significant size to a Leafs team that is often criticized for lacking toughness.
A defensive first center with significant size is exactly who Toronto needs playing in their bottom six.
Why He Might Be Available:
With Dallas’ offensive struggles clear, and should the franchise not reach their postseason goals this season because of it, GM Jim Nill should prioritize adding scoring talent this offseason, and it may come at a cost of one of their star defensive-minded forwards.
Andreas Johnsson is an intriguing option to place alongside Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, and using Evolving Hockey’s contract projection, will most likely cost a few hundred thousand dollars less than Faksa, an important note due to Dallas having several important free agents that need to be re-signed.
2. Michael Backlund
2019 – 20 Stats: 16 goals – 29 assists – 45 points – 70 games
Age at Start of 2020 – 21 Season: 31
Contract: $5,350,000 x 4 years
Why Toronto Might Want Him:
Unlike Faksa, Backlund provides a lot more offense. Registering 16 goals and 45 points this past season, he was very close to tying his career-high in goals and points of 22 goals and 53 points set in 2016-17, albeit in 11 more games.
At times during the 2019-20 season, the bottom six forwards barely showed up for Toronto. Sometimes finding offense from them was a struggle, often leaving the ‘Big Four’ to carry the load.
Backlund will surely provide key insurance lower in the lineup and his top six experience, as well as the ability to play both center and wing, will come in handy, should injuries hit – a trend that seemed to happen too often this season.
However, it is not his offensive capabilities that should entice Toronto – it is his ability to be the shutdown center they need. Backlund finished 7th among forwards in takeaways this season and 6th last season (stats; foxsports.com). Plus, he is well respected in Selke voting, finishing 8th, 13th, and 4th the last three seasons before this one (stats; hockey-reference).
An above-average defensive center should be the player Toronto looks for on their third line – a mould that fits Backlund pretty well.
Why He Might Be Available:
It is fair to say the Calgary Flames have been a disappointment in the playoffs recently. Another early exit in 2020 could be enough for Flames GM Brad Treliving to pull the trigger on a trade to shake up the core.
They are middle of the pack in terms of goals-against, however, are bottom third league-wide in goals-for (stats; NHL.com). Adding more depth scoring, say an Alex Kerfoot plus a Jeremy Bracco for Backlund swap, could help Calgary reach their postseason goals that have alluded them thus far.
1. Nick Bonino
2019 – 20 Stats: 18 goals – 17 assists – 35 points – 67 games
Age at Start of 2020 – 21 Season: 32
Contract: $4,100,000 x 1 year
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs Might Want Him:
Nick Bonino is the perfect third-line center target for Toronto. He is the definition of a defensive third-line center.
Over the last two seasons, Bonino has taken the third most defensive zone draws (stats; evolving-hockey.com). His career splits in Nashville are mind-boggling – 66% of his zone starts have come in the defensive zone (stats; hockey-reference).
Not only does he play a heavily defensive role, but he still manages to come out on top in most of his plays, registering a 53% xGF% and a 50% CF% (stats; TheAthletic). Sheldon Keefe can have the confidence to play Bonino against the other teams’ top players and let Matthews and Tavares be free to obliterate the opposing teams’ defense.
Bonino does everything for Nashville. He wins draws, 53% this season, and keeps the puck out of his net, plus-17 on the year.
A winner of two cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Bonino played an incredible role in both those wins. Centering the ‘HBK line’, alongside Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin, Bonino knows what it takes to win the Stanley Cup and can help any team finally get there. He knows his role on his team and is willing to do whatever he can to win.
Why He Might Be Available:
Heading into the 2019-20 season, the Nashville Predators opening night roster was the oldest in the NHL. As a result, they may be looking to shed some of their older players and look to get younger and faster.
Also, Predators’ top prospect Philip Tomasino may be ready for a promotion to the big leagues next year. He dominated the OHL this past season, registering 100 points in 62 games this year (stats; eliteprospects.com).
With Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen firmly set in the top two center positions, one of Nick Bonino and Kyle Turris will need to be moved in order to make room for Tomasino. It was reported during the season that David Poile, Nashville GM, had tried to move Turris and with no takers, Bonino may be the one to go.
Bonino is the perfect bottom six centerman a Stanley Cup contending team needs.
Next. Leafs Top 10 Prospects. dark
With uncertainty surrounding the third line center position for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kyle Dubas should be hard at work looking to get back the three-headed monster down the middle they once had.