3 Free Agent Left-Wingers Toronto Maple Leafs Should Sign
The Toronto Maple Leafs left-wing position is bleak now that Zach Hyman is leaving, so they need to upgrade it in free agency.
In a dream world, the Toronto Maple Leafs would sign Alexander Ovechkin and that would fix all of their problems, but they don’t have $10M-plus to sign him and he’s not leaving the Washington Capitals. So instead, the team needs to sign a cheap-ish top-six winger to play with the team’s core-four.
The reason Zach Hyman was such a perfect fit in Toronto was because of his work-ethic. He had the desire to fetch the puck and play a role that not many NHLers want to do.
Since Hyman was so good at that role, it essentially made him unaffordable for the Leafs. His work-ethic is very desirable and he’s going to be a great fit beside Connor McDavid in Edmonton. It’ll be hard to replace him, but there are a few good options in free agency who may be able to do it.
If you’re a free agent this offseason and you have a chance to play beside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner for the foreseeable future, you’d have to jump on it right? Even if you’re taking a pay-cut, the future benefits have to outweigh the extra money you could make in a different market.
Hyman turned into a 30-goal scorer playing beside those guys and any hard-working player with a little bit of skill should be able to do the same. Those two are so dynamic that it will open up so much space for that incoming left-winger to score a ton of unattested goals.
Every RFA/UFA left-winger should be chomping at the bit to play in Toronto, because it’ll make them a very wealthy man down the road, similar to what happened with Hyman.
As such, here are three free agent left-wingers who the Toronto Maple Leafs should target this offseason.
No. 1: Tyler Bertuzzi
Bertuzzi is an RFA, but he’s still technically a free agent so he fits this list appropriately.
The former second-round pick would be an unbelievable fit in Toronto. Not only does he have some offensive touch but his aggressive nature would gel so well beside Matthews and Marner. That duo needs someone who can hit, fight and get the puck from their opponent and Bertuzzi can be that player.
In 208 career NHL games, Bertuzzi has 54 goals and 126 points (stats: hockeydb.com). That’s a very nice per-game pace and if he’s able to stay healthy during a full season beside Matthews and Marner, there would be no reason to believe he couldn’t be a 30-goal scorer.
During his last year in the Ontario Hockey League, Bertuzzi scored 43 goals and contributed 98 points, so he has enough skill to keep up with the Leafs dynamic duo. However, his aggressive nature is what makes him such a desirable option in Toronto.
The Leafs would have to do to a sign-and-trade (or they could offer sheet him) to acquire him, but it could be worth it.
The 26-year-old signed a $3.5M deal last year, but only played nine games, so he didn’t do a ton to increase his value in one season. As a result, he probably wouldn’t cost more than $4M, which is great value for his potential.
No. 2: Nick Foligno
Since the Toronto Maple Leafs traded away a first-round pick to acquire Foligno at the NHL Trade Deadline last year, it would feel much better to see him return as a free agent, instead of letting him walk for free.
However, that’s not the only reason the team should consider signing him this year.
After Foligno was traded to Toronto, it felt like a perfect fit. He was wearing his dad’s old Leafs hat during press conferences and was a great veteran by sticking up for John Tavares, after he got injured in Game 1.
However, in 11 games, he never scored and was visibly injured. He missed three playoff games and was forced to play on the fourth-line for most of the series because of that injury. Even though it felt like the right fit, it never transpired to it completely because of how the team lost in the playoffs.
In a full 82-game season, Foligno can be that player that every Leafs fan hoped for and at 33-years-old, you know he’s going to give everything he can to help this team win.
On a two-year deal worth $3M AAV or less, I’d happily take Foligno back. Anything more (money or term) than that and it’s scary, but if Foligno wants to compete for a Stanley Cup before he retires, Toronto could be his best option.
No. 3: Brandon Saad
Saad is puck possession monster who can play a very similar role to what Hyman did on the Leafs. He is slightly younger and maybe even the better player. Also much less injury risk.
As we’ve already mentioned, replacing Hyman is going to be very tough but if there’s one player available this offseason who can do that, it’s Brandon Saad.
Not only can Saad play with high-end talent and be effective, but he’s a two-time Stanley Cup winner. That experience will be critical in big playoff games, and as shown by his production last year (seven goals in 10 playoff games), he can produce in the biggest moments.
With over 600 NHL games of experience, you know exactly what you’re getting with Saad. You’re getting a player who’s guaranteed to score 20-goals, will work his butt off and is a tough player to play against on both sides of the puck.
Next. Top 3 Dream Leafs UFA Signings. dark
Obviously his price-tag will be high, but if he’s asking for what Hyman got, I’d feel much better investing that money into Saad, instead of Hyman. Toronto would be very smart to sign Saad to a three-or-four year deal, so you’re locked in with a Saad-Matthews-Marner top line for the foreseeable future.