The Toronto Maple Leafs Could Offer These Players a PTO

The Toronto Maple Leafs will begin training camp in less than a month. They must figure out their salary cap situation, but one trade could fix that. If enough cap space is created, they could invite a few unrestricted free agents (UFA) to training camp on a Professional Try Out (PTO).

The Toronto Maple Leafs could use the PTO method to sign a player during or after training camp to a cheap one-year deal. The Leafs, along with many other NHL teams, have done this in the past. It’s also a good way to add some competition for roster spots. The more competition a team has at camp, the harder players will work to secure their spot in the lineup.

There are still plenty of serviceable players without a contract. As training camp gets closer, if these certain players still have no contract, they might be willing to accept a PTO in hopes of earning a roster spot during camp. The Leafs will need to free up cap space first. Some players will be unlikely to sign a PTO if they see that a team has no cap to sign them.

I have compiled a list of three players who could potentially join the Leafs on a PTO. Here is a look at each of those players and what they would bring to the Leafs lineup.

Toronto Maple Leafs PTO Options

Whether it’s a veteran forward or a depth defenseman, teams are always looking to add players that will make their team better. Sometimes those players start on a PTO at training camp and earn their way onto the team. Here is a look at some UFAs that the Leafs could invite to training camp on a PTO.

Paul Stastny

Paul Stastny will be 38 in December, but he proved last season that he still belongs in the NHL. He registered nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points in 73 games with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Stastny could provide stability up the middle if the Leafs don’t think Pontus Holmberg is ready.

He’s also good without the puck, as he had 20 takeaways last season compared to eight giveaways. The veteran forward also has 73 playoff points in 118 playoff games. (Stats from hockey-reference.com)

Josh Leivo

Josh Leivo is 30 years old and is a former third-round draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He spent six seasons with the Leafs between 2013-2018.

Leivo registered four goals and 12 assists for 16 points in 51 games with the St. Louis Blues last season. The Leafs could bring Leivo to camp on a PTO to challenge for the left-wing position on the fourth line. He made the league minimum of $750,000 last season and would probably sign a similar deal this season.
(Salary cap info from capfriendly.com)

Alexander Edler

Alexander Edler is a 37-year-old left-shooting defenseman. He registered two goals and nine assists for 11 points in 64 games last season. Edler could be a great depth option for the Leafs. He recorded 104 blocked shots and 106 hits with the Los Angeles Kings last season.

One of his weaknesses is the number of giveaways he allows, but if he’s playing limited minutes on the Leafs bottom pair, it shouldn’t be a big concern. Edler made $750,000 last season, so the Leafs should be able to sign him to the league minimum this season.