Look for the Maple Leafs to Make Trades Instead of Signing UFAs

NHL free agency starts in just a few weeks, but it sounds like the Toronto Maple Leafs might be more interested in looking for a trade partner.

Back at the NHL trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs looked at several different players before they traded for Nick Foligno. They might try to circle back on some of those players as they look to add more scoring depth.

Free agency is a time when a lot of players receive overpriced contracts, and Toronto can not afford to get into a bidding war for depth players. (nor is it usually worth doing, even if you have the cap space).

Trades are often a much more economical way to add players, and additionally, there are more options since you aren’t limited to players on expired contracts.  Look for the Leafs to explore the trade market this summer.

Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Options

One of the players that Toronto supposedly showed some interest in back at the trade deadline was Conor Garland.  There is no no surprise as to why they have interest in him. He’s a 25-year-old RFA who recorded 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points in 49 games this season. (Stats from hockey-reference.com)

Garland can play on the second or third lines, and he can handle 18 minutes a night of ice time. One of his most impressive stats from this season was his giveaways vs. takeaways ratio. He had 34 takeaways compared to 19 giveaways, so the team can trust him when he controls the puck.

Another name the Maple Leafs were rumoured to have looked at before the trade deadline was Rickard Rakell from the Anaheim Ducks. Rackell had a bit of an off year this season with just 28 points in 52 games.

His point totals were above 40 points in the previous five seasons. There is no reason to think he can’t put up another 40+ point season in an 82 game schedule.

Rakell could easily play on the second line with Tavares and William Nylander. The best scenario for the Toronto Maple Leafs would be to try and get Rakell to sign an extension after they acquire him.

It will likely cost the team a decent prospect to get Rakell, so I’m sure they would want to have him for more than one season.

If I had to choose only one of these players for the Toronto Maple Leafs to acquire, it would be Garland. I would pick him for the simple fact that he is an RFA, and they can control his rights longer.