No. 2: Zach Bogosian
Similar to Travis Dermott, Bogosian played very well for someone who makes $1M. After performing so well on the Leafs and with the Tampa Bay Lightning, it’s possible that another contender could pay him around $2M to do a similar job with them next season.
If that’s the case, the team cannot afford to pay him that much to come back, but if he’s willing to sign for $1M once again, there’s no reason not to bring him back.
Bogosian was incredibly reliable this year and performed exceptional, as the fifth defenseman. He had a calmness about him, but also this grit that made opponents cringe when they faced him.
He provided zero offense, but that’s not what he was brought in for. He had a great ability to kill penalties and was a good veteran for Dermott to play with.
If Dermott isn’t available to return, Bogosian becomes even more valuable to the Leafs, as Rasmus Sandin would more than likely fill his void as the everyday third-pairing defenseman.
Sandin, who’s only 21-years-old, would benefit greatly from playing with a veteran like Bogosian, who is your typical stay-at-home defenseman. Sandin’s game would improve playing with someone who’s very reliable, and it would give him the ability to rush the puck and play his style more comfortably, knowing that Bogosian is sitting back.
Since the Leafs are a cap-strapped team, this only makes sense as another one-year $1M deal, so hopefully Bogosian can agree to those terms and return to Toronto.