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Toronto Maple Leafs: Top 10 Available NHL Free-Agents

By Stephen Nixon

May 24, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) makes a save against the Florida Panthers during the second period in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) makes a save against the Florida Panthers during the second period in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Ryan O’Reilly #90 of the toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Florida Panthers during Game Two of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 4, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Ryan O’Reilly

Please come back to the Leafs O’Reilly, we need you!

For those of you who aren’t big O’Reilly fans, I just don’t get it.

When you think of what you’re ideal hockey player is, I think of O’Reilly.

He may not be the fastest player, or will never lead the league in points or goals, but he has an incredible hockey IQ, but more importantly is a warrior.

The former Conn Smythe Trophy winner brings it in the most important games and we got to see it first-hand this year with the Leafs.

Sure, the Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, but they did win their first playoff round in 19 years! O’Reilly had a big part in that, as he was tremendous during Round 1.

Clearly, the entire team ran into a brickwall against the Florida Panthers, but overall, I thought O’Reilly was one of the team’s best forwards. He made one of the dumbest plays I’ve ever seen one game, but besides that, I was very happy he was on the Leafs and not playing anywhere else.

O’Reilly has talked about wanting to re-sign in Toronto and I hope he does.

The price-tag will be pricey, but based on his few months with the Leafs, it’s possible that a hometown discount applies.

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