What The Toronto Maple Leafs Need To Do With All Their Pending Free Agents

Two RFA's the Maple Leafs Must Resign

Timothy Liljegren and Nicholas Robertson are the only players on expired contracts with whom the Maple Leafs must make a deal.

Luckily, they are both restricted free agents, and the Leafs will have the final say on where they will play next season. 

Although sometimes inconsistent, Liljegren was among the few bright spots on the blue line last season.

He graded in the top 15 percent of defensemen in offensive wins above replacement (via JFreshHockey), the top 15 percent in passing, and the top eight percent in exit possession rate.

This type of guy helps you win playoff games; Liljegren moves the puck quickly, gets involved on the offensive side and does a good job preventing scoring chances off the rush. I would be floored if the Maple Leafs allowed another team to get their hands on Liljegren, considering he is the only NHL-ready right-handed defenseman the Leafs have control of.

He's also going to be cheap, and you need as many effective, cheap players as you can find in a cap league.

Robertson deserved a more prominent role last season.

Although he only played 56 games, he ranked fourth on the Leafs in points per 60 minutes, second in goals per 60 minutes, and fifth in expected goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season (via NaturalStatTrick).

He has an unbelievable shot best utilized when playing with other players who can create space for him. Robertson should come at a reasonably cheap price. He will be a great value option to fill one of the holes in the top six if the front office cannot work out deals with both Bertuzzi and Domi.