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3 Free Agent Left-Wingers Toronto Maple Leafs Should Sign

By Stephen Nixon

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 02: Brandon Saad #20 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates with his teammates after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on June 2, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 02: Brandon Saad #20 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates with his teammates after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on June 2, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 28: Nick Foligno #71 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

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.

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