Toronto Maple Leafs: Checking In on Ex-Leafs Around the NHL
Toronto Maple Leafs: Checking In on Ex-Leafs Around the NHL
Michael Bunting – Carolina Hurricanes (3 years, $4.5M AAV)
It will be hard to find a player outside of an Entry Level Contract that was making under $1 Million the last two years that had better value that Michael Bunting. The Scarborough native signed with Toronto on July 28, 2021 for just $950,000 per season and the agitating forward recorded back-to-back 23-goal seasons.
Michael Bunting Always Gave Everything As a Maple Leaf
Like many support players over the years, Bunting priced himself out of Toronto and earned him a three-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes with an annual average salary of $4.5 Million per season. Bunting also received a $3 Million signing bonus ( all info capfriendly) in his first season and a ten team no trade clause for the first two years of the contract.
Alex Kerfoot – Arizona Coyotes (2 years, $3.5M AAV)
Had he just played a depth role making fourth line money, Alex Kerfoot likely would have been a cult leader in Toronto, the problem was he was traded for Nazem Kadri and then immediately signed a four year deal worth $3.5 Million a season. Kerfoot was a player that worked hard, but not smart, so the effort was always there just not the results.
Over the span of four seasons, Kerfoot would score just 40-goals while getting substantial time playing with the top players. Add in that he scored just four goals in five playoff series and Kerfoot was the subject of a lot of negative spotlight.
Despite not producing in Toronto, Kerfoot got two more years at the same $3.5M annual salary, but this time with the Arizona Coyotes that included a ten team no trade clause in both years.
Ryan O’Reilly – Nashville Predators (4 years, $4.5 AAV)
Likely the best trade deadline acquisition that Kyle Dubas completed while the general manager of the Maple Leafs, Ryan O’Reilly exceeded expectations when he arrived late last season. The former Conn Smythe trophy winner recorded 11-points in 13 regular season games and despite coming back from a broken finger he fought through in the playoffs he scored some big goals. Twice ROR tied playoff games, including with a minute left in Game 3 of the Tampa Bay series to force overtime that led to the Maple Leafs taking a 2-1 series lead.
Their were rumblings that Toronto tried to bring O’Reilly back to the city, but he wanted to head to a quieter hockey town. ROR signed on with the Nashville Predators for four years for $18 Million, but the deal did not include any type trade clause or signing bonuses which is likely something that the Maple Leafs could have offered.