Claude Giroux
Team: Florida Panthers
Age: 34
2021-22 Stats: 75 Games, 21 Goals, 65 Points
Current Salary: $8.275 AAV
Projected Salary: $4 – $3.5 Million
The best forward available that would fit the Toronto Maple Leafs budget may be Hearst, Ontario native, Claude Giroux.
I wouldn’t pencil his name onto the Toronto Maple Leafs roster yet though.
Giroux was adamant about joining the Florida Panthers at the NHL Trade Deadline, and the team seems to have mutual interest in working out a deal.
Claude Giroux would have a dynamic presence on the Toronto Maple Leafs if they were able to work something out though. He could easily make his mark on either of Toronto’s top two lines.
Giroux grew up a Montreal Canadiens fan in a mostly French town in Northern Ontario. I wouldn’t totally count out the possibility of him joining the Toronto Maple Leafs, but it seems like there are a few other teams he’d rather play with.
As far as a mutually beneficial match for both team and player, I feel that Reilly Smith might be the best fit. I would personally be very excited to see a Phil Kessel return though. I loved seeing his beautiful shot with quick release on the Leafs. Any upgrade they can make to their scoring lines will be gravy for the already amazing Toronto Maple Leafs.