#3. Drake Caggiula (2019-20 Salary: $1.5M)
Caggiula is a 26-year-old centre, who you probably don’t know much about. The Pickering, ON native went undrafted but has played 222 games in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers.
He’s undersized (5-foot-10, 175 pounds), but his talent is there. In an 82-game season, he’s averaging 15 goals per game, but it’s not just his goal-scoring ability that catches your eye. Even at his size, he’s a feisty and gritty player. What I mean by that is that he’s not afraid to hit anyone and everyone.
Despite playing only 40 games last season due to injury, Caggiula finished sixth on the team in hits and third among forwards. His skill level allows him to play in the top-six and contribute offensively, but his work-ethic and ability to hit makes him a valuable bottom-six player as well.
That type of player is incredibly efficient and would be perfect in the Leafs lineup. Toronto has so much skill that they need someone who can play on the wing of Auston Matthews or John Tavares’ line, but could also use the type of player that crashes and bangs beside Wayne Simmonds on the fourth-line.
He’s also a local-kid, so he may be willing to take a hometown discount to join Toronto.