Every Single Free-Agent Option for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Kyle Palmieri

30 years old. 10 goals, 21 points in 51 games. Cap hit: 4.65 million

From 2015-2020 Palmieri enjoyed a very productive career in New Jersey. He hit 30 once and never scored less than 24 in any of those seasons. A career 54 CF% (59% OZS), Palmieri is at the top of a weak RW class and will probably command something in the 6+ range. His age and declining goal numbers this season may be an issue for some teams but his shooting percentage was unnaturally low and he eventually contributed seven goals in 19 games for the Islanders this postseason. A bit of a risky signing and probably out of the Toronto Maple Leafs price range.

Zach Hyman

29 years old. 15 goals, 33 points in 48 games. Cap hit: 2.25 million

He primarily played LW in Toronto, is listed as a C and is a right-handed shot. Personally, I like Hyman best when he plays on the right side and is most useful when he isn’t tasked with first-line minutes. At 2.25 million he is of great value but his price tag as a free agent might be too high for a player of his style who is leaving his prime. I can see a team like Edmonton shelling out 6 x 6 for Hyman’s services, a risky deal that Toronto may be wise to avoid matching.

Bobby Ryan

34 years old. 7 goals, 14 points in 34 games. Cap hit: 3.58 million

Ryan’s last productive season came in 2015-2016 (22 goals, 56 points) but he’s scraped together three double-digits goal scoring season since then and though he is used mostly in high OZS situations, Ryan has never been below a 50 CF% and was 55.7 in 33 games in Detroit last season. A viable 3rd line RW (or LW, he plays both, shoots right) candidate for Toronto who should be available for considerably less than his current cap hit.