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3 Former Toronto Maple Leafs Who Could Rejoin the Team

By Stephen Nixon |
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 23: Phil Kessel #81 and Tyler Bozak #42 of the Toronto Maple Leafs share a laugh prior to play between the Minnesota Wild and the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on March 23, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Wild defeated the Leafs 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 23: Phil Kessel #81 and Tyler Bozak #42 of the Toronto Maple Leafs share a laugh prior to play between the Minnesota Wild and the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on March 23, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Wild defeated the Leafs 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
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There are a few former Toronto Maple Leafs players available as UFA’s or via trade that the team should go after this offseason.

Throughout the history of the Toronto Maple Leafs, there have been plenty of players who have left and returned at a later date. Whether it was Wendel Clark, Curtis Joseph or Doug Gilmour, all three of those players were pivitol during the prime years with the club, before returning for a last gasp at the end of their career.

Gilmour’s return to Toronto was one of the greatest/saddest moments in Leafs history.

How can something be so amazing, yet sad at the same time, you ask? Well, the return of Gilmour to Toronto was spectacular when it happened. After becoming a fan-favorite in the early 1990s, the former captain was finally coming back for one last shot at a Stanley Cup where he had so many great memories.

However, that dream ended roughly 10 minutes into his first game back with the Leafs.

During Gilmour’s second shift in his first game back after seven years, Gilmour collided into a Calgary Flames player and tore his ACL. He never played another game in the NHL and that dream of one last playoff run in Toronto ended.

It could have been a wonderful finale for Gilmour and all Leafs fans, but instead, it was a disappointing and sad ending.

Speaking of former players, here are three Toronto Maple Leafs alumni who could return to the club this offseason.

TORONTO, ON – MARCH 17: Tyler Bozak
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 17: Tyler Bozak /

No. 1: Tyler Bozak

Bozak was one of the bright spots on a Leafs team that was horrible during the 2010s. The fact that he was the team’s number-one centre should tell you everything about the state of the team back then, because he never should have been given that much ice-time (no offence).

Bozak was a very solid player for the Leafs, but showed his true worth when he signed with the St. Louis Blues.

During his tenure in St. Louis, Bozak scored five goals and had 13 points in 26 playoff games, en route to winning a Stanley Cup. Instead of being asked to play big-time minutes, Bozak was perfect as the team’s third-line centre.

Since joining the Blues, Bozak has had some bad injury problems and hasn’t played a full season in four years. Despite the injuries, he’s only 36-years-old, so he may have a few more years left in his career, if he wants to continue to play.

At this stage of his career, Bozak would be best suited as a fourth-line centre and would more than likely be on a contact, worth no more than $1M. At that price-tag, it couldn’t hurt to bring the former Leafs player in.

His experience and former love for Toronto could make him a great fit, and you know the fans would love to see him back.

TORONTO, ON – MARCH 9: Phil Kessel #81 of the Toronto Maple Leafs  . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 9: Phil Kessel #81 of the Toronto Maple Leafs  . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Phil Kessel

I can’t even believe I’m writing this, but Kessel would be such an unbelievable fit on the Leafs third line.

For those fans out there that don’t like Kessel, shame on you. He never should have been built-up as the poster-child, as his personality never fit that in Toronto. When he was shipped to Pittsburgh, he was sheltered by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and found his calling on a team that won back-to-back Stanley Cup’s.

Kessel was always incredibly skilled, and he’s still continuing to put up good points on a terrible Arizona Coyotes team.

Now that Toronto has Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander as the big-shot’s, Kessel could fall into the background again and be an unbelievable addition on the team’s third line.

I’m sure Kessel wants nothing to do with Toronto and the team probably wants nothing to do with him, but he could be that depth-scorer they’re missing in the bottom-six.

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 30: James van Riemsdyk #25 (l) of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal at 2:01 of the third period against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on March 30, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 30: James van Riemsdyk #25 (l) of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal at 2:01 of the third period against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on March 30, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

No. 3: James van Riemsdyk

“JVR” was another great player in Toronto and acquiring him for Luke Schenn was one of the best trades in Brian Burke’s career. However, a five-year contract worth $7M AAV was never going to happen in Toronto and it’s a fantastic thing it didn’t, because van Reimsyk hasn’t been living up to that pay-cheque.

So, why should Toronto trade for him?

Well, if Philadelphia retained 50 percent of his deal, JVR at $3.5M is a fantastic deal and someone who can still be a huge help on the team’s second-line and power-play.

Toronto currently has a slot open on the second-line at left-wing and van Riemsdyk’s 6-foot-3, 220 pound frame would be perfect there. Paired beside John Tavares and William Nylander, the former Leaf could return to his 30-goal form and be a big help.

Next. Leafs Can't Count on Nick Robertson. dark

Although he didn’t have any playoff success here, JVR’s best seasons, statistically, all came when he was a member of the Leafs, so he may be open to a reunion. The Flyers need to clear cap-space right now and they should also look to rebuild, so flipping van Rimsdyk makes a ton of sense.

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