Toronto Maple Leafs UFA Options for Increased Secondary Scoring
Toronto Maple Leafs Secondary Scoring Options
Max Domi
Max Domi is the son of the famed Toronto Maple Leafs tough guy Tie Domi.
Last season, Domi registered 20 goals, and 36 assists for 56 points in 80 games. These numbers are slightly inflated by playing on the powerplay in Chicago with Patrick Kane. He wouldn’t get first-unit PP minutes with the Leafs.
Domi’s 5v5 scoring with the Blackhawks was 1.9 points per 60, which is decent second-line scoring. Concerningly, when he left Chicago and Patrick Kane, he scored only .89 per 60 which is 4th line scoring.
On the positive side, Domi scored at a first line rate with Dallas in the playoffs. He also had three goals and ten assists for 13 points in 19 playoff games this year. (All stats from either naturalstattrick.com or from hockey-reference.com).
In the regular season Domi averaged 17:46 minutes of ice time, and had 65 takeaways compared to 51 giveaways. Once he came to Dallas, his XGoals rating rose above 50% and he was winning his minutes.
He also won his minutes when he was on Carolina last year, but for the rest of his career, Domi has been relegated to playing on bad teams. What we do know is that while he might not drive play, he is an excellent secondary player.
Domi is coming off of a one-year deal worth $3 million. He is likely looking for a pay increase and a long-term contract. His asking price will likely be between $4.5 million to $5 million on a three to five-year deal. That price tag will not work for the Leafs, but if he can be had cheaper, he could be a nice add for the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Salary cap info from capfriendly.com)
There is no doubt Domi can score, and while he’ll never be a great defensive player, with the right deployment he can win his minutes. Coupled with his scoring touch and aggressive play, he can be a useful player.
Evan Rodrigues
The Toronto Maple acquired Rodrigues in 2020 from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Kasperi Kapanen trade but did not qualify him, and he returned to the Penguins.
Given his generally solid performance since then, you can bet that they regret letting him go. Rodrigues isn’t a flashy player or a big name, but he’s a solid contributor who tends to win his minutes.
Evan Rodrigues finished the 2022-23 NHL season with 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points in 69 games for the Colorado Avalanche.
The season before that, he registered 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 82 games. As mentioned before, the Leafs could use a consistent 15-20 goal scorer.
Except for 38 games when he played for an awful Buffalo Sabres team in 2019-20, Rodrigues has always put up a positive Expected Goals Rating since becoming an NHL regular.
The soon-to-be 30-year-old is coming off a one-year deal worth $2 million. If he would re-sign for something similar, he would be an excellent acquisition for the Toronto Maple Leafs. There is a limit to how many years and how much money you want to pay players with limited upside, but under any reasonable contract Rodrigues is going to help whatever team signs him.
Like Calle Jarnkrok, Rodrigues can provide depth lower in the lineup or play on a scoring line if necessary. His low shooting percentage the past couple of years also suggests there is a bit more scoring possible in his game.
Nick Bjugstad
The former Florida Panthers 19th overall pick is turning 31 this summer, and was a recent trade deadline acquisition for the Edmonton Oilers (they sent the Coyotes a 3rd and a prospect).
The 6’6 210lbs Bjugstad brings extreme size and a decent scoring touch to the team.
Nick Bjugstad lacks consistency, but if he can build off last season, he offers Toronto secondary scoring and a physical presence.
He registered 17 goals and 12 assists for 29 points in 78 games.
He also recorded three goals and 45 hits for Edmonton in the 2023 NHL playoffs.
Bjugstad has not cracked 20 goals since 2014, and given his age, his upside is extremely limited.
Except for when he was on the Coyotes, Bjugstad has posted solid Expected Goals numbers over the last several seasons, and seems to be a player who will win his minutes if deployed properly.
Bjugstad is coming off a one-year deal worth $900,000. Toronto could sign him for something similar he could add a unique mix of size and skill to the depth of the lineup.
The Toronto Maple Leafs could do a lot worse.
Toronto Maple Leafs Physicality Options
Noel Acciari
Re-signing Noel Acciari should be a priority for Treliving. Acciari was acquired at the trade deadline from the St. Louis Blues along with Ryan O’Reilly.
It didn’t take long for his physical presence to make him become a fan favourite. The 31-year-old Acciari registered 14 goals and nine assists for 23 points in 77 games. He also recorded 81 blocked shots and 244 hits.
Acciari is coming off a one-year deal worth $1.25 million. Toronto could offer him a two or three-year deal for $1.5 million to $2 million and keep his physical presence in the Maple Leafs’ lineup.
Garnet Hathaway
Garnet Hathaway registered 13 goals and nine assists for 22 points in 84 games last season, split between the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins. Hathaway recorded 83 blocked shots and 268 hits last season. If Treliving is unable to re-sign Acciari, Hathaway should be his second option. Adding both would be splendid, but not if you’re the opponent.
Hathaway is coming off a four-year deal worth $6 million, which gave him a cap hit of $1.5 million a season. Toronto should be able to sign him to a similar deal in the 3–4-year range between $1.5 million to $2 million.
Austin Watson
Austin Watson registered nine goals and two assists for 11 points in 75 games for the Ottawa Senators last season. He won’t get you a ton of points (his career-best is 19 points), but he will keep the other team in check. Watson finished the 2022-23 season with 165 hits. He registered 213 hits the season before.
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Watson is coming off a three-year deal worth $4.5 million. His cap hit was $1.5 million a season. Toronto should be able to sign him rather easily with a similar deal.