A Report Card For the Toronto Maple Leafs Free Agent Signings
The Toronto Maple Leafs were active on the first day of NHL Free Agency.
Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving added two new defensemen to the fold, Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, along with goaltender Anthony Stolarz.
The Maple Leafs also signed some of their unrestricted free agents. Forward Max Domi agreed to an extension the day before Canada Day. Goaltender Matt Murray, coming off a long-term injury, was signed for depth in the net. Restricted free agent defenseman Timothy Liljegren signed a two-year deal.
With the new additions, the Leafs lineup is coming into focus after one of the biggest days on the NHL calendar. Let's look at each transaction and evaluate the deals made.
James Tanner already graded the moves, but we thought it would be fun to have at least two different takes, so let us know who is right.
Domi's Return a Feel-Good Story But Comes at a Cost
The tweet by Domi announcing his return was classic.
Max Domi put out an ALL-TIME TWEET after signing an extension with the Maple Leafs 😂😂
— BarDown (@BarDown) June 30, 2024
(Via: @maxdomi) pic.twitter.com/SRsMmgWL9D
His passion and love for Toronto endures Domi to the Leafs fan base. He plays with a snarl and takes pride in the blue and white uniform. There is no doubt Treliving and his Leafs teammates loved his in-your-face play against Bruins nemesis Brad Marchand during last year's playoffs. His 5 vs 5 playmaking is elite and he has positional versatility.
He demonstrated good chemistry with star center Auston Matthews last season when Mitch Marner was injured. Having a second top-level passer to pair with Matthews is a plus.
The downside of Domi is his defensive play. He doesn't kill penalties and is not a natural fit as a third-line center. His goal-scoring is inconsistent. Paying him meant the loss of Tyler Bertuzzi and left no money to go after a more natural third-line center.