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Can the Toronto Maple Leafs Sign the One Who Got Away?

By Jeremy Ridgewell |
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 06: Mason Marchment #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 6, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Maple Leafs 6-4. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 06: Mason Marchment #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 6, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Maple Leafs 6-4. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

When free agency begins on Wednesday, July 13th, will the Toronto Maple Leafs be able to sign one of their prospects who got away?

Trying to evaluate and predict the future of each prospect within an organization can be difficult. Unfortunately, some prospects are late bloomers, and they get traded before reaching their potential.

Seeing a former prospect flourish with a different team is not fun. It can make you second guess your decision. If the player turns out to be the type of player your current roster could use, it hurts even more. Toronto general manager Kyle Dubas has a chance on July 13th to sign one of his late bloomers that got away.

If Dubas is successful in bringing the player back, he will also be taking him away from a divisional rival. The 2021-22 season was just his second in the NHL and his only productive one, so the cost of signing him should not be too high. Hopefully, Dubas can find a way to bring him back.

Can the Toronto Maple Leafs Bring Back Mason Marchment?

When Mason Marchment was playing for the Toronto Marlies, many thought he would be a good fit for the Maple Leafs. Unfortunately, he did not produce as well some would have hoped. He has always had the size and grit, but lacked in point production.

Marchment finally broke out this season for the NHL leading Florida Panthers. He recorded 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 points in 54 games. Over a full 82 games he is projected to score 27 goals and 44 assists for 71 points.
(Stats from hockey-reference.com)

Considering that players base their asking price for new deals on future projections, Marchment could be seeking over $4 million a season. It would be much more than the $800,000 he made last season. He has to cash in while he can, and now is the time.

Depending on what roster moves the Toronto Maple Leafs make, they could try to sign Marchment this off-season. He could be the perfect linemate for John Tavares on the second line. Marchment could give the second line what Michael Bunting gives the first line.

There is no proof that Toronto intends to trade Alex Kerfoot, but there are rumors. If Toronto decides to sell high on Kerfoot and trade away his $3.5 million, Marchment could be the perfect player to fill that roster spot.

Next. Expect Half of Leafs Forwards to Change. dark

When I watched Mason Marchment play for the Toronto Marlies, I had high hopes for him. I was happy to see him finally break out this season but wished it was with the Maple Leafs and not the Florida Panthers. I believe Marchment would be a perfect fit for the current Maple Leafs roster. We will find out on July 13th if Toronto feels the same way.

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