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

No. 7: Eric Staal

With seven points in 10 playoff games, Staal has been a great contributor for the Montreal Canadiens thus far. Although, we don’t like to talk highly of that team on this website, the Canadiens deserve credit for taking a chance on Staal and playing so well in the playoffs.

After winning a Stanley Cup in his second NHL season, Staal has yet to do it again. Although it’s been 15 years since winning, that memory doesn’t go away so any added veteran who’s won a ring is important to the roster.

As a former captain in the NHL, that extra leadership would be very vital to Toronto’s roster as they’ve yet to get past the first round since 2004. The “old-timer’s” they brought in last year clearly didn’t do the trick to motivate the young roster to win, but Staal may be that player who could help instead.

If Toronto signed Staal, I’d expect his play to get back to normal, similarly to Jason Spezza and I could see him helping out on the power-play, even at 36-years-old.

Although it doesn’t happen a ton, it would be great to see a Montreal Canadiens player jump provinces and join the rival Leafs.