Toronto Maple Leafs: Top 3 Dream Free-Agent Signings
Many Toronto Maple Leafs fans live in a dream-world, so we might as well look at a few dream UFA signings this offseason.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made splashes in free agency before, most recently bringing John Tavares home with a monster deal worth $11M annually.
When Tavares came home, it was a celebration. Leafs fans already had an excuse to start drinking at noon because it was Canada Day, but after he signed, it accelerated the partying to a whole new level.
By signing Tavares, it gave Toronto one of the best centre-duo’s in the NHL. With Auston Matthews and John Tavares teaming up, how could this team lose? Well, they’re still the Toronto Maple Leafs, so they’ve made sure to lose in three very difficult ways over Tavares short stint in the blue-and-white.
Although Tavares are been through some ups-and-downs and his contract is high, he was an incredible signing and anyone who says otherwise is lying to themselves. He’s a consistent goal-scorer, he’s the captain of this team and has been as reliable as anyone.
As the Leafs get set for free agency, they currently have $9.5M to spend. That number could easily change if they decide to trade Alex Kerfoot, or any other player, but it’s probably not going to get any higher than $14M.
As a result, let’s take a look a few dream UFA’s that every Toronto Maple Leafs fan would love to see the team sign this offseason.
No. 1: Alexander Ovechkin
Ovechkin is the captain of the Washington Capitals, has won a Stanley Cup there and is beloved by the city, but they don’t have a lot of salary-cap space.
Instead of running it back and trying to win in Washington again, imagine playing on a line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, or with William Nylander and John Tavares? Either of those lines would be unstoppable and Ovechkin would the missing link for Toronto.
Not only can Ovechkin score 50 goals in his sleep, but he’s a proven leader, winner and a wrecking ball. Ovechkin doesn’t get enough praise for his ability to run around the ice like an energizer bunny and hit anyone in sight. He’s the perfect playoff-performer too, who has 135 points in 141 career playoff games.
In a dream scenario, there would be nothing better than watching Ovechkin play in Toronto, but the likelihood of this ever happening seems too good to be true.
Even if Toronto offered more money and gave him a better chance to win, the fact that he’s already won a ring makes it more likely that he’ll stay in Washington and retire as a Capital.
No. 2: Dougie Hamilton
The big-name defenseman from Toronto is a UFA this offseason and will be asking for a ton of money. However, would Hamilton take a hometown discount to play in front of friends and family?
Probably not, but let’s dream.
Hamilton is the best defenseman available in free agency and would look perfect on the Leafs blue-line. After Toronto originally traded away the pick that turned into Hamilton, it feel great to se him finally get to play for the Leafs.
Hamilton is everything you want out of a defenseman. He has great size, can play any situation and can score goals. He has the ability to play 30 minutes per night in a tough playoff series if you want, and that’s something the Toronto Maple Leafs don’t currently have.
In order to acquire Hamilton, the team would have to ship out Morgan Rielly and at this current moment, it seems unlikely. But as we’ve alluded to before, these are all dream scenarios. If you had to ship out Rielly in order to acquire Hamilton, I’d do it, if the price was right.
Spending $10M on Hamilton would be a terrible decision but if they were able to get him for $8M, then I say do it.
You need a number-one defenseman to win a Stanley Cup and Toronto doesn’t currently have that, so in a dream-world, they should do everything they can to make it happen.
No. 3: Gabriel Landeskog
Landeskog should be the Leafs number-one target right now to play in the top-six beside Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and/or William Nylander. The former second-overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft is everything you want out of a top-six left winger.
Landeskog has some ties to the Toronto area, so playing for the Leafs wouldn’t be a huge culture shock. He played two years with the Kitchener Rangers and is currently married to a woman who he met while he played there.
When you’re a free agent, it’s always a family decision on where that player goes, so maybe his wife would have some influence in wanting to live closer to where she grew up. It could be a win-win for both parties if they did indeed want to move to Toronto.
Not only does Landeskog score at least 20 goals every year, but he plays with an edge and is a proven leader. He’s someone that every team in the NHL would want on their team and with a huge need at left-wing, the Leafs should do what they can to acquire him.
Next. 3 Expensive UFA Goalies Leafs Could Sign. dark
Landeskog would take this roster from being a fringe Stanley Cup contender to a Stanley Cup favorite if they were able to sign him.