3 UFA’s Still Available That Toronto Maple Leafs Should Sign
No. 1: P.K Subban
I’m going to continue to write about Subban joining the Toronto Maple Leafs until it happens, because it NEEDS to happen.
The right-shot defenseman needs to play in Toronto because it will rejuvinate his career. The fans, the media and the spotlight is exactly what Subban has been missing for a few years and he’ll be loved in this city like Matthews and Marner.
Toronto is missing size on the right-side and they’re also missing a blue-liner who has a huge shot from the point. Subban can offer both of those things and he can take the attention away from the core-four.
Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tavares won’t need to do as much press as they would in the past, because Subban can take that responsibility. He can be the face of the team, despite being the fourth best defenseman.
If the former Norris Trophy winner wants to compete for a Stanley Cup and walk his way into another big contract before his career is over, he should sign with the Leafs on a two-year deal at a lower cap-hit and help this team win.
If he plays well in Toronto, another team will offer him a huge contract after his tenure with the Leafs and it’ll be a win-win for everyone involved.
No. 2: Zdeno Chara
The 45-year-old hasn’t officially retired yet and until he does, the Leafs should continue to try to sign him.
Chara is a different breed and his age shouldn’t impact a decision to sign him. He’s still one of the strongest players in the NHL and his experience alone would help the Leafs defense-core.
In 72 games last year, Chara had 14 points, but most importantly, he showed he could still play and be healthy.
Toronto’s defensive-group is pretty much set, but on a league minimum contract, Chara would be a perfect seventh defenseman for this team.
He would add size and strength to a defensive-core that lacks those attributes and he would still be an intimidating player. After he punished the Leafs for years, it would be great to finally see him in our line-up, especially in the playoffs, when you need him the most.
Chara’s 200 playoff games of experience will be incredibly beneficial to this team, even if he’s in the press-box most nights, so if he still wants to play in the NHL this year, the Leafs should 100 percent look to sign him.
No. 3: Sonny Milano
Why is Sonny Milano still un-signed right now?
Coming off a 14-goal, 34 point season last year, the Anaheim Ducks decided not to give him a qualifying offer, making him a free agent. Milano finished with a 14.1 shooting percentage last year, with only 94 shots on net, meaning if given a bigger opportunity, he should be a 20-25 goal scorer.
For example, Michael Bunting finished the season with a 13.1 shooting percentage, with a total 175 shots on net and scored 23 goals. (stats: hockeyreference.com)
Throughout his career, Milano hasn’t been given much more than a third-line opportunity, when he has all of the skills to be a second-line player. Similar to Bunting, if given an opportunity with better player, Milano can produce at a level which will out-perform his contract.
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Milano was a teammate of Auston Matthews’ during his time on the U.S. National Under-18 Team and is the former 16th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He’s just another example of a player who a team has under-valued because they didn’t give him the right opportunity, so the Toronto Maple Leafs need to exploit this and make him their second-line left-winger.