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Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Depth UFA Options Still Available

ByStephen Nixon|
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 24: Michael Frolik #67 of the Chicago Blackhawks hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 24, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins 3-2. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 24: Michael Frolik #67 of the Chicago Blackhawks hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 24, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins 3-2. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Jun 12, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Michael Del Zotto (42) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Boston Bruins in game seven of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs should be happy with the moves they’ve already made, but there’s still work to do.

Although the bottom-six forwards and defense for the Toronto Maple Leafs is looking a lot different, they could always add to it.

There’s no such thing as too much depth and the Leafs should continue to flex their muscles during Free Agency. Although every NHL team is losing millions of dollars by not having fans, the Leafs and MLSE are one of the more fortunate teams in terms of wealth. The Leafs alone (not including all other MLSE properties) were valued at $1.5B in January, 2020, which is five times more than the Arizona Coyotes ($300M).

Having a bigger bank account in a world where there is a player salary-cap gives the Leafs a huge advantage over many teams. Since every team has a maximum amount of player salary they can spend each season, the Leafs can use their extra money elsewhere, with one of those places being in the minor leagues. With no maximum salary cap in the American Hockey League (AHL), the Leafs can afford to sign players to one-way NHL contracts with intentions of keeping them in the AHL, while paying them a full-NHL salary.

For example, players like Brooks Laich and Milan Michalek were still making $4M per season when they were sent to the Marlies during the 2016-17 season. It’s not ideal to have a player making that much money be sent down to your AHL team, but the Leafs had the luxury of doing this, instead of looking at a buy-out.

I’m not saying that the Leafs should look to acquire a player for the same amount of Laich or Michalek with intentions of sending him down to the AHL, but the team can stockpile the Denis Malgin’s of the world and pay them a full NHL salary in the minors if they wanted to.

A number of these players would have to clear waivers if they’re getting sent down to the minors, so there’s a chance another team could pick them up, but if you stock-pile enough of them, you could make your AHL team very good and organization have a lot of depth as a result.

Here are five depth options that the Toronto Maple Leafs should still pursue in Free Agency:

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