Toronto Maple Leafs Top 10 UFA Targets 2020

#7 Sami Vatanen

Sami Vatanen is a right-handed defenseman who was a desirable acquisition this past season for Toronto and that hasn’t changed. With nine years of NHL experience, the 29-year-old has a lot to offer the Leafs blueline. They may not have swung a deal for him at the trade deadline, but now they have another chance to get him.

Vatanen is a possession specialist who moves the puck well. He has the ability to find his teammates in stride and doesn’t force the action if the right play isn’t available. Vatanen is a high IQ player with offensive ability. He would be a solid addition to the Toronto Maple Leafs powerplay.

Vatanen appears to be a player that would be an excellent fit in Sheldon Keefe’s system. And with a young group of defensemen, the Fin would be a valuable veteran voice to help mentor the other skaters in the dressing room.

#6 Evgeny Dadonov

Evgeny Dadonov is a sniper playing right-wing. After five years in the KHL, Dadonov returned to the NHL to rip pucks past goaltenders. Playing three years for the Florida Panthers, Dadonov recorded 28 goals and 37 assists in his first year with the club. He followed that up by scoring 28 again and adding 42 assists. In this shortened season, Dadonov still managed to put in 25 goals along with 22 assists.

Natural goal scorers are always valuable in the NHL. A talent like Dadonov’s would be sought after by the Leafs GM. It wouldn’t be surprising if Dubas made a pitch to Dadonov’s representatives to see if he could get the Russian in the big smoke on a reasonable contract.

#5 Mike Hoffman

Another UFA who could potentially be leaving the Panthers is Mike Hoffman. Much like Dadonov, his former teammate, Hoffman is a sharpshooter. In fact, during Hoffman’s time in Florida, the 30-year-old left-winger has managed to score more goals than Dadonov.

In 2018-19 Hoffman played a full 82 game schedule. He potted 36 goals and 34 assists in that campaign. He then followed it up by recording 29 goals and 30 assists in 69 games. Those stats don’t just prove that Hoffman is a point producing stallion, but also an incredibly durable one.

With players like Auston Matthews and John Tavares already on the team, adding another sniper makes defending against Toronto even more difficult. Hoffman might command over $6 million AAV on his new deal, which if true would certainly mean the Leafs would have to look elsewhere.