Grading the Toronto Maple Leafs Most Notorious Canada Day Moves
2014: NOT Re-signing this “Playoff Player”
The Toronto Maple Leafs were looking to return to the playoffs after a heart-breaking 2013 playoff run. To help the team on their run, general manager Dave Nonis traded for Dave Bolland. Heading to the Chicago Blackhawks was one second-round pick and two fourth-rounders.
Now, that wasn’t a TERRIBLE trade at first. The two-time Stanley Cup champion gave the Leafs a reliable defensive center with offensive upside (sounds familiar, doesn’t it?). He would become a number two or number three center (depending on if the team signed Tyler Bozak).
Gritty forward Zack Kassian cut Bolland’s season short by severing his Achillies tendon with his skate. He required season-ending surgery, and it would be the end of his short tenure with his hometown team.
In 23 games, the veteran only had 12 points and was a -1. I’m sure the then 27-year-old would have had a productive season, but maybe not as much as management thought. Regardless, his expiring contract and the horrifying injury cast doubt on his future with the team. While some believed Toronto shouldn’t re-sign the forward, it was the player that decided to play elsewhere.
He would sign a hefty five-year contract averaging $5.5 million per season with the Florida Panthers. Unfortunately, he would play 78 games for the Panthers over two years. Injuries crept up again and ended his career.
It’s unfortunate, considering Bolland had the intangibles and defensive qualities general managers love on their roster. That’s also why Nonis wanted to retain the forward. Luckily, Dave took his talent, and injury issues, elsewhere. His contract would take up $5.5 million despite not being on the ice.
It’s not known what the offer to Bolland was, but let’s say it was the same as Florida’s. The Maple Leafs thankfully did not have to deal with a large portion of $5.5 million in dead cap on their roster.
The only thing preventing the grade from being an A+ is the “what if” factor. Would he stay healthy if he had remained in Toronto? Was Nonis’ contract offer more reasonable? I doubt it, but I guess we’ll never know.