#1. Michael Del Zotto
If you watched TSN’s Free Agent Frenzy, you would have seen Del Zotto on the broadcast, which was a unique perspective for someone who’s still playing. He was brilliant during the show and when he retires, he’s going to be able to transition nicely into TV but for the meantime, the Toronto Maple Leafs should look to sign him.
The 30-year-old has played for six different NHL teams and has 657 games under his belt. On the broadcast, Del Zotto already mentioned that he would be open to a team-friendly deal and understands the type of player he currently is at this point in his career.
He’s had a good career, but is now in the position of being a sixth or seventh defenseman on a good NHL team. I know the Leafs have added depth to their defense already, but why not add one more player in Del Zotto? He played his entire junior hockey career in the Greater Toronto Area and continues to live here in the off-season, so you have to think he’d open to becoming a Leaf.
Del Zotto most importantly understands his role, which could make him a perfect depth addition at a cheap cost. Obviously you don’t want to see a player like Travis Dermott leave, but if you bring in Del Zotto, you can make him expendable and use that money on another forward.
He’s not going to score 30-plus points like he’s done a few times in the NHL but he is going to provide experience and depth, which is necessary to a Stanley Cup winning team. Although he didn’t play much with the St. Louis Blues when they won their Cup in 2018-19, he was in the room and understands what’s needed to get another ring, which is very valuable to this Leafs team.