Top 4 Pending UFAs Toronto Maple Leafs Should Trade For

No. 3: Nick Foligno ($5.5M)

For whatever reason, Foligno’s name continues to seem like a better fit as everyday passes. The one issue though, is that he makes $5.5M.

Despite his high salary, the Leafs could get creative with a trade and pull it off. Whether or not Alex Kerfoot would have to go the other way, it’s still possible that Toronto could make this trade work.

Foligno is a hard-working professional. As the current captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, he’s a leader on and off the ice. Although his stats have decreased over the past three seasons, you’d be acquiring way more than his points total.

The 33-year-old left-winger is someone who can do it all. Whether it’s the penalty kill, powerplay, top-six or bottom-six, he’s able to fit in anywhere the coach puts him. Having only played with Ottawa and Columbus his entire career, he’s only made it past the first round of the playoffs twice in his career, so you know he’s eager to win.

As a former 30-goal scorer, Foligno can chip in when necessary, but he’s mostly going to be used as a gritty player who’s hard to play against. He’d provide a perfect balance on the John Tavares-William Nylander line and be someone who can provide depth scoring, but more importantly can add important leadership.

After hurting the Leafs in the NHL Bubble last August, he’d be a great competitor to have on Toronto’s side moving forward.