3 Big-Name UFAs the Toronto Maple Leafs Must Avoid Re-Signing
Even the clubs who hoist any Stanley Cup are forced to make some tough offseason decisions. So it should come as no surprise when teams who failed to reach that level of success, like this year’s Toronto Maple Leafs, also face roster revisions of their own.
While many have been quick to call for a complete overhaul of the Maple Leafs organization after their disappointing conclusion to the 2020-21 campaign, that’s clearly an overreaction.
Fans have every right to be upset that their favorite team didn’t get the job done, but suggesting solutions that are based on irrational judgement is not going to put them in any better of a position to win next season.
Instead, let’s all take a breath and review what went wrong as objectively as possible. It’s now in the hands of those who get paid to make these types of decisions. They certainly have some important ones to consider and recent results should factor into their thinking.
The Cost of Free Agency
As they entered their offseason, Toronto had 10 unrestricted free agents awaiting contract talks. In short, players in that scenario are then able to let the best bid guide where they end up next.
While some may hope to see a return to the lineup they were just part of, others use free agency as an opportunity to take their talents elsewhere.
Generally, the player has more power when in this particular scenario. The world is their oyster, so to speak. And while that may be true for those who recently called themselves a Maple Leaf, it’s actually in management’s best interest to just avoid that conversation with a select few altogether.
It’s not a knock on these respective athletes’ abilities or a claim that any are incapable of being an impact player wherever they end up. The reality is just that these particular stars have seen their shine fade in Toronto.
There is a clear expectation out of this current Maple Leafs roster and everyone that has any part of it needs to align accordingly. Unfortunately, the traits that make up these three free agents just aren’t going to cut it in this city any longer.
Joe Thornton
Admittedly, I was among the skeptics when talks of Joe Thornton signing in Toronto started to take over my timeline last year. While I appreciate his storied career and candid personality, it seemed like a stretch to infuse the 41-year-old into a lineup so heavily focused on youth.
However, by the time it was all said and done, I started to come around to the idea. He’s been a leader throughout his career, leaves it all out on the ice, and has consistently proven to see the game better than most. Besides, adding a future Hall of Famer can’t be that bad of an idea, right?
Unfortunately, my initial instincts were proven correct. Despite agreeing to a discounted contract, Thornton’s contributions weren’t really worth the spend. 20 points are the lowest total since his rookie campaign in 1997-98. This was also the first season that he averaged less than 14:00 of ice time since that stat began being collected in 1998-99.
Perhaps his showcase would come in the playoffs, being that the whole point was to add his type of depth for a deep run. Unfortunately, one goal, nine hits, and a minus-3 rating through seven postseason matches isn’t enough to warrant a renewal of his services in this city.
It’s not to say that Thornton can’t still be an effective member of another lineup missing his type of presence. Yet, what has been made clear is that he and Toronto don’t mesh as well as all would have hoped before he put on the blue and white.
Frederik Andersen
Trade rumours have surrounded Frederik Andersen for a few years now, but Kyle Dubas maintained his stance and kept Toronto’s most tenured netminder of this millennium throughout the duration of his contract. In hindsight, Dubas would probably like a re-do on this one.
As Andersen approached the final season of his five-year contract with the Maple Leafs, there were plenty of teams that would have jumped at the chance to take over the then 30-year-old’s $5 million AAV last offseason. Dubas could have worked out a return instead of waiting to see him walk in free agency.
Now, with that said, the case could have also been made that Toronto was hanging on to Andersen in anticipation of re-signing him. 2020-21 was slated to be a fresh start for all, after a disappointing finish the year prior, and it would be up to Andersen to prove his worth from the get-go.
Well, that conversation took a turn once Jack Campbell entered the fold and secured the starter’s crease. Andersen accumulated career lows with his 13 wins, .895 save percentage, and 2.96 goals against average last season, while Campbell was setting records in Toronto.
The latter has one year left on his current term, while the former is now a free agent. Letting their results do the talking, it’s obvious who Toronto’s money should be following from this point forward.
Nick Foligno
While it might have seemed as though Dubas was done increasing Toronto’s average age after he added so much more of it prior to the 2020-21 season, he obviously felt more was needed to push through this year’s playoffs.
With that said, who better to help them get further than they have in decades than the captain of the team that stopped them from even starting a run in 2020? Enter, 33-year-old Nick Foligno.
Again, another move I wasn’t sold on. Foligno just didn’t feel like a good fit. I respect his passion for the game, the physicality he brings to a roster, and how important he’s been to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Yet, that doesn’t mean his skill set was somehow the missing piece to this lineup’s puzzle.
His role in last year’s series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets went beyond the three points he earned that round. Helping limit 2019-20’s second-best offense to only 10 goals through five contests is what made Foligno an effective force. His 22 hits helped, too.
The price Dubas paid to pick up the potential rental indicated that he felt Foligno could fill a void for Toronto. Despite an unforeseen injury hampering Foligno’s ability to play every game, one point, one block, and seven hits through an average ice time of just over 14:00 isn’t a very good return on investment. Instead of throwing more money away, Dubas needs to let Foligno walk.
Next. Toxic Maple Leafs Fans Need a Reality Check. dark
It goes without saying that Toronto won’t be in the market to re-sign every one of their UFAs waiting to see where they’ll end up next. Even if they wanted to, that’s an implausible expectation. With that, crossing these three off their list is a start towards getting to those they should actually consider keeping around.