Overall Grade For the Leafs Signings
It wasn't plausible for the Maple Leafs to be in on signing big-name players such as Steven Stamkos or Brandon Montour.
They had too many holes to put their salary cap space toward larger contracts.
The Leafs needed at least two defensemen and they got them. The AAVs for Tanev and Ekman-Larsson are reasonable, especially considering what former Leafs Ilya Lyubuskin and Joel Edmundson received.
The term for Tanev and Ekman-Larsson is excessive, but Treliving identified Tanev as his top target and he was one of the best free-agent defensemen available.
The career arch of Nikita Zadorov moving forward will be fascinating. The Leafs division rival, the Boston Bruins signed him for a similar six years and a $5 million AAV. He is five years younger than Tanev. Did Toronto and Zadorov have any interest in each other?
Stolarz and Murray provide competition for Woll. Woll has the edge to be the Leafs number-one goaltender, but all three must realize their opportunity.
The limited experience of Woll and Stolarz plus the injury history of Woll and Murray means all are likely to see the ice. The team will benefit from the internal competition.
The Toronto Maple Leafs signings were middling. "Boom" or "bust" is an appropriate description.