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5 Former Toronto Maple Leafs Who Could Return In Free Agency: Part 2

By Stephen Nixon |
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 27: Tyler Ennis #63 and Patrick Marleau #12 of the Toronto Maple Leafs chat prior to play resuming against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 27, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Oilers 6-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 27: Tyler Ennis #63 and Patrick Marleau #12 of the Toronto Maple Leafs chat prior to play resuming against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 27, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Oilers 6-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 27: Tyler Ennis #63 and Patrick Marleau #12 of the Toronto Maple Leafs chat prior to play resuming against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 27, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Oilers 6-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 27: Tyler Ennis #63 and Patrick Marleau #12 of the Toronto Maple Leafs chat prior to play resuming against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 27, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Oilers 6-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to need to get creative to stay under the salary next season, so what better way than bringing back a few former players?

This is the second edition of former Toronto Maple Leafs who could return in Free Agency. If you missed the last list, you can read it here.

As we talked about prior, the idea of a former Leafs player re-joining the team isn’t too far-fetched. In sports, reunions happen all the time because more often than not, leaving is not the player’s idea in the first place.

When the Leafs traded Nazem Kadri last summer, he was devastated. As a player who grew up in southern Ontario, the idea of playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs was a dream come true. Then, after playing a decade for the team you idolized, they trade you away for a right-handed defenseman who was criticized all year.

I’m sure Kadri is incredibly happy in Colorado now, since his team made it farther than the Leafs, but deep-down, you have to think he would love to come back at some point. Winning a Cup in Toronto would be the greatest thrill in the world. Obviously winning a championship in any city would be an amazing accomplishment, but doing it in a city that’s starving for a title after a 50-plus year drought would be unbelievable.

Ask any player who’s help get the monkey off a city’s back like the Chiacgo Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Chicago Cubs or Boston Red Sox. You’re idolized in that city forever and the same would be said for any player who was part of a Stanley Cup winning team in Toronto.

Here is Part 2 of five former Leafs who could return in Free Agency.

TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 06: Mason Marchment #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 6, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Maple Leafs 6-4. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 06: Mason Marchment #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 6, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Maple Leafs 6-4. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

#5. Mason Marchment

Prior to the NHL Trade Deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs shipped out Marchment in exchange for Denis Malgin. Since this was essentially an AHL-move, it wasn’t talked about that much, but it should have.

I was incredibly upset that the Leafs moved on from Marchment. He was the type of player who had size and could play with an edge. His skating had drastically improved since his arrival with the Marlies in 2015 and he was getting better everyday. But instead, Toronto decided they didn’t value that and traded him away for an undersized winger on a team filled with plenty of them.

It’s ironic because the Leafs need a player like Marchment. He may be an old rookie at 25-years-old, but he’s been improving every year and has potential of being a fourth-line player in the NHL sooner-than-later. His skill-set is exactly what the Leafs need and on an Entry Level Contract would be a great addition to the team.

Marchment was another Marlies player that shined under coach Sheldon Keefe and was a huge part in the Calder Cup winning team in 2018. This is a no-lose signing and Marchment deserves to get another shot at the Leafs roster.

TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 9: Sam Gagner #89 of the Toronto Marlies fires a shot on goalie Ivan Kulbakov #31 of the Utica Comets during AHL game action on January 9, 2019 at Coca Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 9: Sam Gagner #89 of the Toronto Marlies fires a shot on goalie Ivan Kulbakov #31 of the Utica Comets during AHL game action on January 9, 2019 at Coca Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /

#4. Sam Gagner

Gagner is coming off a three-year deal with an annual cap-hit of $3.15M. Unfortunately for him, he’s never going to see money like that again, but for the Leafs sake, he could be a diamond in the rough.

Gagner never played a game for the Toronto Maple Leafs but he did play 43 games with the Toronto Marlies. The 31-year-old centre is only two years removed from scoring 10 goals and 31 points in the NHL and could be a good addition to the fourth-line. When Gagner was originally sent to the minors, he never reported to Vancouver’s AHL team (Utica Comets) because he wanted to be play closer to home. That’s why the Marlies were able to grab him.

The London, Ontario native seemed to enjoy his time with the Marlies and you’d have to imagine he would love to come back home if he could. Depending on what type of offer he gets around the league, he would probably choose the Leafs over any other team if the money was similar.

At this point in his career, he’s an NHL fourth-line player or a star first-line AHL player, so if he’s interested in staying close to home, Toronto could be a perfect spot for him.

CALGARY, AB – MARCH 4: Tyler Ennis #63 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates with the bench after scoring a hat trick against the Calgary Flames of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on March 4, 2019 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB – MARCH 4: Tyler Ennis #63 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates with the bench after scoring a hat trick against the Calgary Flames of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on March 4, 2019 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /

#3. Tyler Ennis

The 30-year-old Ennis still has a lot left in the tank, despite playing on five different teams in five seasons. With back-to-back double-digit goal season’s, Ennis may be turning back into the 20-goal scorer he used to be.

The left-wing position could be very thin in Toronto soon. Two of their three starters (Ilya Mikheyev and Kyle Clifford) are free agent’s this off-season and Andreas Johnsson will most likely be traded. It’s quite possible that the only left-winger who played on Toronto last year that will be in the 2020-21 starting line-up will be Zach Hyman.

That’s why the team could look at bringing back Ennis. During his time in Toronto during the 2018-19 season, he was typically a bottom-six forward but he did have some moments paired beside Auston Matthews. The two actually became great friends and that reunion could be good for Ennis.

The Leafs could always use more cheap forward depth and Ennis will most likely only cost $1M or less on a one-year deal. Ennis isn’t going to make a huge difference on the Leafs but he would be a trusted NHL player on an inexpensive contract that could play every night. Also, with little money going towards him, it could open the door for more defensive help.

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 09: Luke Schenn #2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates down the ice against the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on December 9, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 09: Luke Schenn #2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates down the ice against the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on December 9, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

#2. Luke Schenn

The former fifth-round pick of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft is available this off-season, so should the Leafs pursue him?

On one of the best teams in the league this season, Schenn is playing real playoff minutes for the Tampa Bay Lightning. After being a healthy scratch, a Ryan McDonagh injury helped get Schenn back into the line-up and he hasn’t looked back. During the playoff-run, teammate Pat Maroon mentioned that Schenn has been a great addition to the line-up.

“He brings that different element to our lineup. He’s physical, he’ll stand up for his teammates and he knows his role. He’s become a voice in our locker room,” said Maroon.

Head coach Jon Cooper has loved Schenn in his line-up and even elected to play seven defenseman when McDonagh returned from injury because of how well he’s playing. The Leafs need a right-handed defenseman, so if the Lightning aren’t looking to re-sign him, he could be a good depth addition in Toronto.

TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 27: Patrick Marleau #12 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 27, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Oilers 6-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 27: Patrick Marleau #12 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 27, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Oilers 6-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

#1. Patrick Marleau

The 41-year-old probably only has one-year left in the tank before retirement, so what better way to get back at unfinished business than to sign in Toronto? The only reason Marleau left in the first place was because of his contract. The team couldn’t afford to pay him $6.25M, but if he were to return on a league minimum deal, a reunion is possible

If Marleau wants to win a Stanley Cup, taking the league minimum is best for him and the team he goes to. He’s already made over $95 million in salary in his career, so taking a pay-cut of $700K for one season isn’t going to hurt him.

Despite his age, he’s still scoring 10-plus goals per season and can be a contributor offensively. Marleau isn’t really an NHL player anymore, but fourth line players don’t really have much impact anyways and his role as a player-coach / mascot could be helpful.

Next. Hypothetical Trade: Andersen to Colorado. dark

Marleau clearly loved his time in Toronto based on the friendship he built with Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, so you’d have to think he wouldn’t be against returning for one more season. At league minimum, Marleau would be worth every penny, as he would be a great motivating factor for everyone in the room to win a Stanley Cup for him.

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