The Toronto Maple Leafs have numerous UFAs up for grabs this pending offseason.
Many of the Toronto Maple Leafs unrestricted free agents (UFA’s) have likely played their last game for their team. This is the first in a series of articles detailing the pending UFAs each team is facing.
A unique challenge for both teams and players this year will be navigating the $81.5 million flat salary cap, and a general loss of revenue across the league due to Covid.
Here’s a look at the top UFAs-to-be right now that are facing the Toronto Maple Leafs:
Tyson Barrie
First on our list is 29 years old, 5′ 10″ blueliner Tyson Barrie. He is a right-handed puck-moving defenseman that didn’t exactly have the best year with the Leafs after being acquired from Colorado.
Leafs fans had so much hope for him, especially as his play took off under Sheldon Keefe. He had been underutilized by Babcock and was given faith by Keefe to blossom and grow into a top role. If Keefe had been coaching Barrie since the beginning of the season, it is likely he would’ve ended up with 56 points instead of 39.
Barrie ended the season with his lowest points total since 2016–17 with 39 points and none in the postseason. The narrative is that he was unsuccessful in Toronto, but from the day that Sheldon Keefe was hired, Barrie was tied for 3rd among NHL defenseman in 5v5 scoring while being a regular on the NHL’s second best power-play. (Naturalstattrick.com).
According to Cap Friendly, Barrie’s cap hit has been at $5,500,000, which is very similar to Boston’s Torey Krug’s.
Nathan Horton
On a different note, this next player will be a happy one to leave this organization. Nathan Horton, who is on the Leafs books but has never played a game for them, is an upcoming unrestricted free agent. According to PuckPedia, Horton’s contract currently takes up 6.5% of our cap space. While it’s not a lot, it’ll be good to finally get rid of it.
David Clarkson
Similar to Horton, David Clarkson will be another name that’ll make Toronto Maple Leafs fans yell from the rooftops “We’re Free!” On July 23, 2019, Clarkson was traded back to the Leafs along with a 2020 fourth-round pick in exchange for goaltender Garret Sparks.
According to PuckPedia, Clarkson’s contract currently takes up 6.4% of our cap space. While it’s not a lot, it’ll be good to finally get rid of it. Having not played since 2016, Clarkson is just more dead space on the Leafs book.
Cody Ceci
Unfortunately, Cody Ceci is the name of a player who is not only the Leafs books but has played for them as well in recent memory. Too recent memory in many fans’ eyes.
After joining the team for the 2019–20 season, the Ottawa native only recorded eight points over 56 regular-season games. He was likewise a chameleon in the playoffs as well, on the ice but not noticeable. While it would make me feel better if he had been traded to avoid losing him for nothing, I am glad to see the back of him leave the arena.
According to PuckPedia, Ceci’s contract currently takes up 5.5% of the Leafs cap space.
Kyle Clifford
When Kyle Clifford and Jack Campbell were acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Trevor Moore and a third-round pick, it was met with excitement. I thought these two players would make an impact on the team in the long run although only Campbell has proven that so far.
While Clifford is a UFA this year, his agent has been in talks with the Leafs about signing an extension. During the portion of the 2019–20 season that he spent in Toronto, Clifford recorded one goal and three points in 16 games.
If Clifford decides to stay in Toronto, what would he bring to the table? Well, since joining the team he has registered three fighting majors and led the team with 43 hits. Since his arrival, the Leafs also jumped to 12th spot in blocked shots and averaged more hits per game.
The Los Angeles Kings agreed to split his contract with the Leafs during the trade, meaning his $1,600,000 is split between the two teams. It is likely that his newest contract would be for a shorter term, possibly two years and hopefully with a lower cap hit.
Miikka Salomaki
Miikka Salomaki is a name I believe most Toronto Maple Leafs fans will be unaware of. He was traded to the Toronto Marlies on February 22, 2020, in exchange for Ben Harpur and recorded four points in his eight games with the team. He is an arguably young player who has years of professional experience both in Finland and the NHL.
Per Puckspedia, Salomaki makes $750,000 and takes up 0.9% of team cap space.
Tyler Gaudet
Tyler Gaudet will be one of the lucky ones. He’s been putting up steady numbers in the AHL, with numerous +20 point seasons and is arguably still in his prime.
His play hasn’t translated well at the NHL level but he has been stuck with the Coyotes for almost his entire career (and the Coyotes aren’t known for good player development). I’d personally think he’d be a great player for the Leafs to develop and hope he chooses to stay with the Blue and White organization.
Right now, his contract is worth $700,000 and takes up 0.8% of team cap space.
Kevin Gravel
I would caution people to keep their hearts close when seeing Kevin Gravel on the UFA list. He was drafted 148th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2010 NHL Draft and has since bounced around numerous teams such as Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs.
He spent the majority of the 2019–20 season with the Marlies where he recorded three points in 23 games. During his brief call up to the NHL level, he went scoreless over three games. A seemingly low impact player, I can imagine it’ll be slim pickings during his UFA time.
Right now, his contract is worth $700,000 and takes up 0.8% of team cap space.
Jason Spezza
Jason Spezza joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in the summer of 2019, signing a league-minimum $700k deal.
Although he is a light hit on the cap crunch, he is a much harsher hit on the ice and is an impact player. During the Leafs (short) post-season he earned a fighting major and sparked the team to victory. He is a team player (similar to Jack Campbell) and players that boost moral should be held to a higher standard.
Although his best years are arguably behind him, his 25 points in 58 games are decent numbers and although he may not earn an assist, his fights are often the spark that keeps the Leafs going.
Matt Lorito
Not sure what the Leafs will do with Lorito but it is likely he’ll remain with their organization. He only recently came to the Leafs following an AHL trade deadline acquisition in exchange for Jordan Schmaltz.
He won the AHL Calder Cup with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2017 and has been named to the AHL’s All-Star Game for both the 2017 and 2018 season.
Having just turned 30 this year, I imagine he’ll be signed by the Leafs for a short two-way contract. What was interesting about his contract with the Islanders was that the second year of the two year contract was only one way (NHL) as opposed to going between both the AHL and NHL levels. Right now, his contract is worth $675,000 and takes up 0.8% of team cap space.
Garrett Wilson
Similar to Lorito, Garrett Wilson appears to be a career AHLer and I cannot imagine him receiving a long term contract if he chooses to sign with another team.
Wilson was signed last summer, and has recorded 20 points in 40 games for the Marlies since joining them from Pittsburgh as a free agent.
Right now, his contract is worth $725,000 and takes up 0.9% of team cap space.