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5 Free Agents the Toronto Maple Leafs Should NOT Sign

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 29: Tyler Motte #64 of the Vancouver Canucks battles against Kyle Clifford #73 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 29, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canucks 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 29: Tyler Motte #64 of the Vancouver Canucks battles against Kyle Clifford #73 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 29, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canucks 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 7: Kyle Clifford #73 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to action against the Anaheim Ducks in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 7, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

#3. Kyle Clifford

We all know that Clifford is going to test free agency, but that doesn’t technically mean the Leafs can’t sign him still. However, I’m hoping the team doesn’t in-fact sign him at the 11th hour.

Personally, I love Clifford as a person and as a player but the price will be too high for a fourth-liner who isn’t going to get more than 15 points per season. He brings toughness and grit, which the Leafs don’t particularly have, but that doesn’t matter. Unless he’s able to deliver a clean bone-crushing hit every night that changes the game, you don’t need him at that price.

The Leafs are pinching every penny as they head into Free Agency and understand that signing a fourth-line player to more than $1M is a mistake. Considering that Clifford made $1.6M last year, means that he’s going to be asking for something around there again. This is a price Toronto cannot afford.

Not only will his price be too high, but the team understands how important draft picks are. If Clifford resigned with the Leafs, the team would only get a third-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, instead of a second-round pick. The LA Kings are bound to be terrible again next year, so a pick between 32-38 could provide great value for the Leafs scouting department next off-season.

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