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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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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.

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