Who the Toronto Maple Leafs Could Lose to Free Agency This Summer
NHL free agency begins at noon on July 13, 2022 EDT. The Toronto Maple Leafs are likely to lose some of their current players once that window opens.
There are a number of significant options that the Toronto Maple Leafs may chase this summer once the free agency market opens. To do so means that room will need to made on the roster. Look no further for possible departures than to the players with expiring contracts.
According to CapFriendly, there are seven players who can walk away from the Maple Leafs in search of a new club.
They represent all three positions.
Goaltenders
Michael Hutchinson
Toronto Maple Leafs fans may not even remember that the club’s fourth goaltender this season has been familiar to them, Michael Hutchinson. Those fans are forgiven, especially considering that he only played two games with the Leafs this year and 28 with their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.
Toronto promoted Erik Kallgren to save the team when it was struggling with injuries to Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek instead of giving Hutchinson a chance between the pipes. Additionally, they tried to sign Finnish goalie Harri Sateri only for the move to be thwarted by the Arizona Coyotes who claimed him on waivers.
These moves suggest that the Maple Leafs do not trust Hutchinson anymore. After a four year relationship, expect to see the two part ways.
Jack Campbell
It was reported in November that the Buds and their number-one stopper, Jack Campbell, were engaged in contract negotiations. So far, that hasn’t resulted in a new deal and there is no guarantee that it will.
Campbell is currently earning $1.65 million for the season, which has been a bargain for the Leafs. He is due a large raise after posting a respectable 2.64 goals-against average and a 0.914 save percentage in the regular season. Toronto won’t be the only organization interested in Campbell’s services. Other clubs will very likely tender offers, which should drive his price up.
Expect the stopper to re-sign in Toronto, but at this point, it’s in his best interest to wait until free agency opens before making a decision.
The Toronto Maple Leafs UFA Defensemen
There are just two defensemen that the Toronto Maple Leafs are at risk of losing to free agency. That’s because General Manager Kyle Dubas ensured that his star defender, Morgan Rielly, would remain a part of the organization for the next seven years after he signed an extension worth $7.5 million per year in the opening weeks of the season.
Dubas has actually done a remarkable job ensuring that there’s little risk to losing his blueliners. The only ones set to become unrestricted free agents (UFA) are the players acquired at the trade deadline, Mark Giordano and Ilya Lyubushkin.
Mark Giordano
With his limited no-trade clause, Toronto was on Giodano’s list possible destinations. Being shipped to the Leafs, not only brought him to a playoff bound team but also has allowed the former captain of the Calgary Flames and Seattle Kraken to play for his hometown franchise for the first time.
Giordano turns 39 in October and is no longer a Norris Trophy level defenseman, but in his short time with the Leafs, he has proven that he fits in nicely on the roster. If the Leafs resign Giordano, it would likely be for just one or two seasons at a low price point.
Ilya Lyubushkin
Lyubushkin has been a steadying presence since he was acquired by the Coyotes. At 28-years-old, he’s coming off his fourth-consecutive one-year contract. His current deal has paid him $1.35 million.
At this point his career, Lyubushkin has proven that he belongs in the NHL. That should be enough to persuade Dubas to make a long-term offer to the former KHLer. A deal structured this way would be beneficial to both parties. Lyubushkin would gain career stability and the Leafs could save some money by paying a lower annual salary.
The Toronto Maple Leafs UFA Forwards
The Leafs have been in far more difficult positions then they find themselves at the conclusion of this season. Dubas has four UFA and two RFA forwards waiting for their futures to be determined.
Brett Seney
Brett Seney has played the fewest NHL games of all the Maple Leafs’ pending UFA forwards. He has been in the lineup for just two contests with the Leafs and 53 for the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old center and left wing is likely to spend next season primarily in the AHL, just as he did this year. With the Marlies this season, Seney played 62 games where he recorded 17 goals and 42 assists for a total of 59 points.
Seney is someone who will garner interest as an above average minor-league player. He should be able to land a two-way deal (with expectation of him playing in the AHL) without much difficulty. With the Leafs having the forward depth that they do, it will continue to be difficult for Seney to crack the lineup as more than just an injury replacement. It would be in his best interest to join a new organization to get more opportunities, which is the most likely scenario.
Jason Spezza
Jason Spezza has been a fan favorite in Toronto. The veteran has made it very clear that the only team he will play for is the Maple Leafs. Spezza has been accepting single year deals at the league minimum in order to continue his NHL career in the Big Smoke.
Turning 39 in June, the right-winger will likely sign with Toronto for another year. It’s a low risk signing for the Leafs. The only way that Spezza doesn’t return to the Leafs for a fourth season is if he decides he’s ready to retire.
Ilya Mikheyev
Ilya Mikheyev has been fantastic for the Maple Leafs. At 27-years-old, he is earning an annual salary of $1.645 million. It’s a steal for the Leafs. Mikheyev is coming off a 32-point season in just 53 games. He potted 21 goals with 11 assists.
With top-six level skill and the ability to put the puck past goalies, Mikheyev should be eyeing a large pay upgrade. What remains to be seen is whether the Maple Leafs will be able to afford him once the market sets his price. Unfortunately, the most realistic scenario is that Mikheyev will get himself a great deal in a new city.
Colin Blackwell
The last UFA on the roster is Colin Blackwell. Acquired ahead of the trade deadline from the Kraken, the 29-year-old has played his role admirably. Just like Spezza, Blackwell is earning league minimum, which is a price the Leafs would gladly pay to retain his services. He has shown this year that he can earn himself a small raise in his next deal.
Apart from his short time with the Leafs, Blackwell doesn’t have history in Toronto. He may have interest in playing elsewhere. As a fourth-line forward who could be playing for $1 million or less next year, Blackwell should be able to find multiple suitors who want to add his style of play to their lineup.
The Restricted Free Agents
Defensemen
There are three Leafs defensemen who will see their entry level contracts expire this summer. Two of these negotiations will be important for Dubas. Those players are Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin. With both players steadily improving and earning their ice time, they may each come into negotiations with big demands.
Both players are young and have a long hockey runway ahead of them. Liljegren is 22 and Sandin 23. Ideally, Dubas finds a way to lock up the pair on long term deals with very reasonable cap hits. These will be interesting negotiations.
The third restricted free agent (RFA) defenseman is Kristians Rubins. He played in three games for the Leafs this year without registering a point. He also took to the ice for 58 games with the Marlies where he scored a goal and added 10 helpers. If he’s coming back to Toronto, it will be in a Marlies uniform.
Forwards
There are just two forwards who are set to become RFAs. They are Pierre Engvall and Ondrej Kase. Both are arbitration eligible, which means that the Leafs could make qualifying offers of $1.25 million each. This is a set amount from the NHL based on the players current salaries. Accepting a qualifying offer sets their salary for one year. Should Engvall or Kase go to arbitration, the Leafs will lose control of what the player earns on their deal, which can be very risky.
The Leafs will be hoping to get both forwards without giving them significant raises. If the team’s salary cap starts to get squeezed, they will need to make at least one sacrifice to their squad. The most likely choice is Alex Kerfoot. With a $3.5 million cap hit, Kerfoot may be the first one out to retain the pair of Engvall and Kase.
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With the Maple Leafs engaged in a playoff battle, which they hope results in their longest run in decades, free agency is a long way off. Hopefully, there is a lot of hockey left for them to play before the club needs to begin negotiating with its upcoming free agents.