5 Players the Toronto Maple Leafs Shouldn't Bring Back Next Season

T.J. Brodie

T.J. Brodie's overall stats are not bad, but he has lost a step in his performance.

There have been too many times this season where Brodie made a mistake that he wouldn't have made two years ago. The decline in play could be from the wear and tear of almost 900 games in the NHL. It could also be from his shattered mental state after the passing of his father during the off-season. Whatever the cause is, it has impacted his on-ice performance, and it is affecting the Leafs.

Brodie has registered 18 assists in 66 games while averaging 21:51 minutes of ice time. He also has 139 blocked shots, 36 hits, 18 takeaways, and 44 giveaways.

Brodie's giveaways and 48.9% Corsi rating are proof that the Leafs struggle when he is on the ice. I enjoyed Brodie being on the Leafs during his first two seasons with the team, but last year and this year have not looked good.

In the off-season, Brodie will become an unrestricted free agent. The Leafs and GM Brad Treliving should let Brodie go and use his $5 million toward a better defenseman.

Preferably a top-two defensive defenseman who can play top minutes with Morgan Rielly. Brodie's time in Toronto was fun while it lasted, but the time has come for him to go.

The Leafs defense will look much different next season with the number of free agents on the Leafs blueline.

Along with Brodie leaving in free agency, I also expect to see Mark Giordano retire this summer.