Toronto Maple Leafs Free Agents: Who Stays and Who Leaves?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have seven RFAs in their organization. Most are depth players or prospects and should not cost too much to keep around. The only RFA that will cost Toronto millions of dollars is goaltender Ilya Samsonov.
Toronto Maple Leafs Free Agents
Ilya Samsonov
Ilya Samsonov is the number one priority out of Toronto’s RFA group. Toronto should lock up their number-one goaltender for three to five years. Out of all the RFAs Toronto has, Samsonov will cost the most to keep. He will likely receive between $3.5 million – $5 million a season. He earned the number one job in Toronto with a 27-10-5 record in 42 games with four shutouts.
(Stats from hockey-reference.com)
Pontus Holmberg
Pontus Holmberg is next on the list in terms of importance. Holmberg proved he is a valuable player in Toronto’s bottom six this season before the NHL trade deadline. He recorded five goals and eight assists for 13 points in 37 games with the Maple Leafs and ten goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 38 games with the Toronto Marlies. (Stats from eliteprospects.com)
Nick Abruzzese
Nick Abruzzese registered two assists in two games with the Maple Leafs this season. He registered 16 goals and 32 assists for 48 points in 69 games with the Toronto Marlies. Abruzzese is one prospect that could challenge for NHL roster spot next season.
Victor Mete
Victor Mete is a decent depth option for Toronto’s defense, but he is one of the players that the Maple Leafs can afford to let go. He spent most of the 2022-23 season on LTIR.
Mac Hollowell
Mac Hollowell spent much of the season injured but produced well when playing. He recorded two assists in six games for the Toronto Maple Leafs and 13 assists in 18 games with the Marlies. Hollowell also has five assists in six playoff games for the Marlies.
Semyon Der-Arguchintsev
Semyon Der-Arguchintsev registered 12 goals and 28 assists for 40 points in 50 games with the Marlies this season. He currently has three points in five playoff games as well. Der-Arguchintsev is unlikely to crack the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup this season, but his development is going well.
Filip Kral
Filip Kral missed some time this season but managed to record two goals and four assists for six points in 24 games for the Marlies. Re-signing Kral will give him a chance to get back into his 21 points in 58 games form from last season.
With 14 unrestricted free agents, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot of decisions to make. Toronto can’t keep everyone, including some players they wish they could keep but can’t afford.
UFAs The Leafs Should Keep
Listed below are the pending UFAs I think Toronto should keep. Some fans will disagree with my choices, but that’s okay, as this is my list.
Ryan O’Reilly
Ryan O’Reilly’s stint with Toronto was brief but productive. After joining the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of the NHL trade deadline, O’Reilly registered four goals and seven assists for 11 points in 13 games. He also recorded nine points in 11 playoff games with the Maple Leafs. For the right price, I think Toronto should re-sign him.
Noel Acciari
Noel Acciari gives the Toronto Maple Leafs a physical edge they can’t afford to lose going into next season. After joining Toronto before the NHL trade deadline, he became a welcomed addition to the Maple Leafs’ bottom six. Acciari recorded 76 of his 244 hits with Toronto this season while adding another 78 hits in 11 playoff games.
Luke Schenn
Luke Schenn should be brought back for the same reasons as Acciari. Who wouldn’t want a player named “The Human Eraser” on their team? I know I do. Schenn registered 60 of his 318 hits with Toronto after joining the team at the NHL trade deadline. He also recorded 54 hits in 11 playoff games. Schenn is a good depth defenseman with cup-winning experience.
David Kampf
David Kampf is a steady rock in Toronto’s bottom six. He’s played all 82 games two seasons in a row with the Maple Leafs. Kampf is an effective member of Toronto’s penalty kill and adds a bit of secondary scoring. He has registered 18 goals and 35 assists for 53 points in 164 games for Toronto over two seasons.
Erik Kallgren
Erik Kallgren re-signing with Toronto will be needed if Toronto trades Matt Murray. Samsonov and Joseph Woll will be the Maple Leafs’ top two goaltenders, but keeping Kallgren is important as he has NHL experience. Toronto has plenty of depth in goaltending for the AHL and ECHL, but they need at least one goalie in the minors with NHL experience.
Erik Gustafsson
Erik Gustafsson should return to Toronto but only for the right price. He was a power play specialist with the Washington Capitals last season before being traded to Toronto. The Maple Leafs have one of the NHL’s best power plays and could benefit from adding Gustafsson for a full season and beyond.
Saying Goodbye
For the rest of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ UFAs, it’s time to say goodbye. Wayne Simmonds has outlived his usefulness, and Zach Aston-Reese is easy to replace. Alex Kerfoot and Justin Holl are likely seeking raises and pricing themselves out of Toronto.
Michael Bunting is Nazem Kadri 2.0, as he has a bad reputation with NHL officials. He overreacts and gets himself into trouble which ends up hurting the team. It’s possible that Toronto keeps him, but I would be okay with him playing elsewhere.
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Radim Zohorna, Jordie Benn, and Carl Dahlstrom are all replaceable depth players. Losing them in free agency would not hurt the Toronto Maple Leafs.