5 Former Toronto Maple Leafs Who Could Return in Free Agency

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 10: Mitch Marner #16 and Matt Martin #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate a win against the Boston Bruins at the Air Canada Centre on November 10, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Bruins 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FL – MARCH 20: Josh Leivo #32 of the Toronto Maple Leafs passes during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on March 20, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

#5. Josh Leivo

During his time with the Toronto Marlies, Leivo was one of the most productive players for Sheldon Keefe. However, when he was called up to the Leafs, Mike Babcock didn’t give Leivo much of an opportunity.

During his time in Toronto, he was always criticized for his skating ability, but I never saw that as much of an issue. He doesn’t have Connor McDavid speed, but he can fly down the wing and fire one past the goaltender.

Just go check out this goal against Carolina when Leivo was a member of the Leafs. He clearly had some game. Leivo is a local kid, as he grew up roughly an hour north of Toronto and as an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA), he could be very interested in returning home. After getting traded to Vancouver, he showed that he can be a productive player if he plays every night.

The Leafs left-wing position has room right now and depending on the price, Leivo could fit in very well as a third or fourth line player.

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