5 NHL Free Agents Who Could Instantly Transform the Toronto Maple Leafs

At the start of the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs fan base would have expressed that they would be satisfied with the club progressing beyond the first round of the playoffs.

When Nick Cousin scored the overtime winner of Game 5, eliminating the Toronto Maple Leafs from their Stanley Cup pursuit, many fans forgot that they were going to be happy with how far the team managed to get.

With an appetite for success, the team, players, and their fans all want the Leafs to go even deeper in the playoffs next season.

One way to do it is to find difference makers to join the club. That can happen as early as July 1 when the 2023 crop of unrestricted free agents (UFAs) become available to sign with a new team.

There are going to be a number of Maple Leafs heading out the door, especially the ones who are also UFAs. The member of the team that the franchise should push to re-sign the most is “The Factor,” Ryan O’Reilly.

Toronto Maple Leafs UFA Options: Ryan O’Reilly

O’Reilly is a player who will have many suitors. He has proven that he has lived up to his knickname while playing for multiple teams. Especially in the post season, O’Reilly shows up and makes a difference.

The former Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe, Lady Byng, and Selke Trophy winner is a veteran in the game. He adds to his team’s on-ice production and is a value to have in the locker room as well. Since he has now had the opportunity to spend time playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, the hope is that he will want to return.

The ideal situation for the franchise is for O’Reilly to re-sign and do so on a hometown discount. If he wants to finish his career in Toronto in a similar fashion to Jason Spezza and Mark Giordano, then there is a possibility that this could happen.

Depending on what happens with O’Reilly, the Leafs will have room to chase down and get one of the biggest available UFAs.

This is their best five options and fits.

#5 – Matt Dumba

Matt Dumba has only known one team his entire NHL career. He is the face of the Minnesota Wild, but possibly, not for much longer.

That’s because after 10 years, he could be looking to move on.

Turning 29 in the summer, there’s a lot to like about Dumba from potential suitors.

He isn’t past his prime like a David Krejci or Patrice Bergeron (both of whom are pending UFAs for the Buins). He’s also able to play in a team’s top pairing, log massive minutes, and he shoots right.

Dumba joining the Toronto Maple Leafs would be nice for both parties. He gives the Leafs a better chance to win every night, and in return he gets to play with a group proven to be a sure entrant into next year’s post season.

While renowned for his offensive prowess, Dumba has also proven himself as a reliable defenseman.

His agility and speed allow him to excel in the defensive zone, providing stability and confidence to his goaltender and teammates. Dumba also adds a great deal of physicality for his team. His sandpaper style meshes will with his solid defensive abilities.

During the regular season this year, Dumba he threw 104 hits and put himself in position to accumulate 116 blocks. That continued in the playoffs. In the six  games Dumba played, he made eight blocks and threw 11 hits.

#4 – John Klingberg

The Toronto Maple Leafs would love to have defenseman John Klingberg shutting down opponents for them. If he sees the opportunity to elevate the club and take them to the next level, there’s a chance that he and the Leafs find a way to work out a deal.

The 30-year-old  from Sweden was moved to the Wild at the trade deadline. He was an immediate fit with the team which isn’t surprising. The same was true when Klingberg started in his first and only year with the Anaheim Ducks.

Klingberg spent the first eight years of his NHL career playing for the Dallas Stars. He then bet on himself by signing a one-year deal with the Ducks. It’s proving to have been a strong bet thanks to his outstanding play all season long.

The Leafs would love to add Klingberg. Management would need to ensure that they make space for a large cap hit. That would mean that at the very least, Michael Bunting would walk and they’d try to find a trade partner to get goaltender Matt Murray off the books.

On the Toronto Maple Leafs, Klingberg could continue to play his same style. It would be a welcome addition. Not only is he a reliable defender, bet he’s also a puck moving D-man who can jump into the rush and has the ability to carry the puck out of trouble.

Should Klingberg join the Leafs, he’d challenge to be on their top pairing. Logging big minutes wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for Klingberg who is used to being a heavily relied upon asset to the defense core.

Dmitry Orlov

Dmitry Orlov is a player who doesn’t always get the credit he deserves.

He is an outstanding defender who could be the missing piece that elevates the Toronto Maple Leafs blue line to new heights.

One reason why Orlov can sometimes be overlooked is because of his effortless ability to put himself in the right position to break up plays and throw a wrench into his opponents plans, especially as they try to gain his zone.

His active stick and high hockey IQ also help him while he’s playing big minutes each night. This is a significant reason why the Boston Bruins put together a package in order to pry the 31-year-old away from the Washington Capitals.

Orlov possesses good vision and passing skills, allowing him to contribute to his team’s transition game and initiate plays from the back end. With the Toronto Maple Leafs high-scoring forwards, Orlov’s ability to join the rush and provide timely offensive support would add an extra dimension to the Leafs attack.

Orlov has shown that he can also get himself onto the score sheet. During the regular season, between both the Capitals and the Bruins, he played in 66 contests where he registered seven goals along with 29 helpers for a total of 36 points.

If the Toronto Maple Leafs are willing to give Orlov a contract with some term to it, he is likely to be more interested in joining the team.

Elliotte Friedman reported that his undoing in Washington came down to contract length. Orlov was looking for a seven-year contract, but Caps general manager Brian MacLellan wasn’t willing to go beyond three years. Perhaps Orlov can find his right number in Toronto.

Tyler Bertuzzi

There is so much to like about Tyler Bertuzzi’s style of play. He brings a well-rounded offensive game to the table and possesses excellent scoring instincts, making him a consistent offensive threat.

That may not have been evident throughout Bertuzzi’s time with the Detroit Red Wings, especially this season.

That’s because in the 29 games he played in the Motor City, he registered just four goals and 10 assists. It took going to the Bruins to bring out his potential and remind the NHL just how dangerous Bertuzzi really is. In 21 game with Boston, he once again scored four goals but this time added 12 assists. He really came alive in the playoffs, where in seven games he scored five goals and five assists.

Just like Dumba, Bertuzzi had only known just one team his entire career. Unlike Dumba, Bertuzzi was traded to give him a taste of what it’s like around the NHL.

Bertuzzi played parts of seven seasons with the Red Wings before they dealt him to Boston. Now a UFA, there’s a very good chance that after being so loyal to Detroit, Bertuzzi will be joining his third NHL club in two years years.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and their fans will like Bertuzzi’s style of play. He is known for being able to get physical. The Sudbury, Ontario native isn’t afraid to engage in the gritty aspects of the game. He excels in battles along the boards and doesn’t hesitate to try and dig pucks out of the corners.

The Leafs, who have been criticized for lacking physicality and praised for having Luke Schenn back with the team to add toughness, would benefit from Bertuzzi’s tenacity and hard-nosed approach. His presence would bring an edge to the team without the same level of liability as Bunting gave the Leafs.