10 Veteran UFA’s Toronto Maple Leafs Could Sign This Offseason

No. 9: Marc Staal

Staal is a free agent for the first time since 2015 and continues to get underappreciated because of his contract and lack of offense.

At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, Staal has never been an offensive defenseman. He’s always been your typical stay-at-home player who was a pest to play against. Now that he’s a free agent and spent his last season with the Detroit Red Wings, you’d have to think that he would like one last chance at winning a Stanley Cup.

Staal lost the Stanley Cup Finals against the LA Kings in 2014 and hasn’t been back since. On a cheap contract, he’d be a great fit in Toronto.

If Staal were to sign a cheap contract in Toronto, he could change his narrative. Remember what people thought of Zach Bogosian two years ago? As a $5M player, he was a bum and should’ve been summoned to the AHL, some said, but as a $1M player, all of a sudden he was the best signing in hockey and an unbelievable value.

By signing a discount deal with Toronto, or any other team, Staal would be that “diamond in the rough” signing and could extend his career for a few more seasons.

If Bogosian doesn’t re-sign in Toronto, Staal should be a priority for the Leafs.