Three UFAs The Toronto Maple Leafs Should Try to Sign

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a new GM, but so far Brad Treliving has not made a move.

Next year’s Toronto Maple Leafs roster is set to be a lot different than this years squad that made it to the second round for the first time since 2004.

With the Leafs most likely not bringing back Alexander Kerfoot, Justin Holl and Michael Bunting, it leaves the Leafs with an opportunity to spice things  on their roster.

In addition to those three, there are seven other UFAs, and a host of questions about the roster and even established core players could be traded depending on how contract negotiations go.

Suffice to say, it will be a busy summer.

One thing that held Toronto back in the playoffs was the mixture of guys who can both score and lay the body.

In order to have success in the postseason, you need a perfect combination of both to have a chance to win the Stanley Cup, and this year, I don’t think the Leafs had that.

So, I will be giving my opinion on some UFA’s the Toronto Maple Leafs should go after who I think will fit in the system not only during the regular season, but in the playoffs as well.

Toronto Maple Leafs UFA Options: Ivan Barbashev

Ivan Barbashev was someone who Kyle Dubas supposedly tried to acquire in the Ryan O’Reilly trade back in February, and looking back on it now, it is extremely unfortunate that Dubas could not get him in the deal.

Last season, Barbashev recorded a career-high in points with 60, his previous best being 26.

Before being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, he had 29 points in 59 games with a struggling St. Louis Blues team.

However, once arriving in Sin City, Barbashev made an immediate impact, putting up 16 points in 23 regular season games.

His great production continued into the post season as he tallied 18 points in 22 playoff games en route to winning his second Stanley Cup of his career.

Barbashev won his first Cup in St. Louis back in 2019, but only had six points in 25 games during that cinderella run.

During this years postseason, it became aware that he did not fear from laying a big hit or getting into scrums, as seen when Barbashev laid a revere-hit on Radko Gudas, taking him out of play.

Doing that to someone Gudas’ size is extremely hard to do, and Barbashev made it almost like his signature move, reverse-hitting anyone that got in his way.

This is one of the players that the Toronto Maple Leafs desperately need, and hopefully Brad Treliving can pull this one off. (stats hockeydb.com).

Jesper Fast

Jesper Fast is a very underrated player in my opinion, as he can do it all.

He can play anywhere in the lineup, he can be effective wherever he plays and he has the grit and determination unlike many in the NHL.

Fast could be a cheap option for the Leafs, possibly a similar contract to what Calle Järnkrok got last offseason.

The 31-year-old is a great depth player who can put up points when needed.

This season, he scored 29 points but also racked up 104 hits.

Fast has spent the last three seasons in Carolina and has made the postseason in each of his years there.

This year, Fast was a key contributor in the Hurricanes run to the Eastern Conference Final, as he had nine points in 15 appearances.

He’s a player that I feel would suit the Toronto Maple Leafs roster as he always has a nose for the front of the net and doesn’t mind getting in areas where other players wouldn’t get themselves into that often results in a good chance to score.