3 Value UFA Forwards Toronto Maple Leafs Should Sign

Feb 10, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Michael Bunting (58) and Calgary Flames defenseman Christopher Tanev (8) fight for position during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Michael Bunting (58) and Calgary Flames defenseman Christopher Tanev (8) fight for position during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
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Toronto Maple Leafs
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 07: Marcus Johansson #90 of the Washington Capitals  (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

No. 3: Marcus Johansson

To me, Johansson is one of the most underrated players in the NHL and should be making more money than what he currently is.

However, as a pending UFA, he’ll probably sign a contract for less than $2M and make one lucky team very happy.

Hopefully that’s Toronto.

Johansson has a skillset that any hockey player would love. He can score, he has size and can be physical. Not only that, but he can play up and down your line-up and play multiple positions.

Instead of keeping Alex Kerfoot at $3.5M, it would be more beneficial to sign Johansson for a fraction of the price and use that cap-space to upgrade another position.

It’s been awhile since he was a 20-goal scorer, but the skill is still in there. Not only that, but with over 100 games of NHL playoff experience, Johansson is a reliable source in the most important games.

If someone in the top-six goes down to injury, Johansson can fill that void no problem, but he would be best suited on the wing in the bottom-six. Essentially, if he’s healthy, Johansson could be another Ondrej Kase-type player and be very effective, especially at his price.