Where Does Each Toronto Maple Leafs Free Agent Forward End Up?
The offseason is coming and the Toronto Maple Leafs have tons of work to do this summer with 14 free agents coming off the books.
Five of the pending Toronto Maple Leafs free agents are Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, Connor Dewar, Nick Robertson and Noah Gregor. Both Domi and Bertuzzi are unrestricted free agents while Dewar, Robertson and Gregor are restricted free agents.
While I think majority of the changes for this roster will occur on the blueline, I doubt all five of these players will return to Toronto.
I am going to try to predict where each forward will end up by the start of the season.
Connor Dewar
Dewar was brought in as the only trade deadline move that addressed the forward core by Brad Treliving. Dewar was acquired from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick and prospect Dmitry Ovechinnikov. (All salary and trade information from CapFriendly.com)
Dewar played 17 games for the Leafs this past regular season scoring once and recording four assists for five points. In the playoffs, Dewar solidified himself on the fourth line, playing six games and having one assist. Dewar is more of a defensively responsible forward who plays on the penalty kill. (All stats from HockeyDB.com)
I expect Treliving to bring Dewar back next season on a two-year deal, with an average annual value of 900k to 1 million dollars.
Nick Robertson
Robertson has yet to solidify a spot in the lineup but I am begging this team to give him a run with real ice time. Keefe didn't trust him so I'm hoping early in the regular season Berube will give him a chance. He is one of the best 12 forwards on this roster and deserves more ice time.
The 22-year-old played 56 games last season with the Leafs where he scored 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points. In the playoffs, he played six games where he didn't record a point.
Robertson is still so young even though it feels like he has been around for a while. With more experience and that shot he has, he can be a real piece for this team. I think Treliving also brings Robertson back on a two-year deal with an AAV of around 1 to 1.5 million.
Noah Gregor
Treliving brought Gregor in on a PTO when camp started and he played 63 games for the Leafs where he posted six goals and six assists for 12 points.
I don't think Gregor brought much outside of his speed. The Leafs do need speed but Gregor doesn't bring anything else. I know Gregor was signed to a PTO so you get what you pay for, but I wouldn't want to see Gregor back.
Whoever ends up signing Gregor would probably get him on a league-minimum deal for a year. My prediction is Noah Gregor will end up in Anaheim. The Ducks aren't going to be a strong team again next season and they hold the third overall pick in this draft. It looks like it'll be another year of development. Gregor could take an depth role there as they build a stronger team with their core of young players.
Max Domi
Domi became a fan favourite after one year in Toronto.
Between his last name and how he plays the game, most fans were pretty attached to Domi. He played 80 games where he scored nine goals, and recorded 38 assists for 47 points. In the playoffs, Domi had one goal and three assists for four points in seven games.
There were reports that Domi would like to stay here long-term.
The 29-year-old has been on seven different teams throughout his career so he is looking for some stability. Pierre LeBrun reported earlier this offseason the Leafs were in talks to keep Domi as well as Bertuzzi on longer-term contracts with an average annual value of around five to six million.
Domi is a little bit of a one-dimensional player, which can handcuff a coach if you have too many guys like him.
Defensively he isn't great but he can play on the wing as well as a centre. He played well when put on the top line with Matthews and Bertuzzi while bringing toughness as well.
The frustrating thing about Max outside of defensive errors is his refusal to shoot the puck. He only posted nine goals and I can think of countless times where he opted to pass instead of taking his shot in a dangerous area of the ice.
I do think the Leafs get a deal done with Domi. My prediction is Max will stay in Toronto on a five-year deal with an average annual value of around 4.5 million.
It's an expensive deal to get done for Domi but based on what the reporting is, that is probably where the deal will finish if he does stay in Toronto.
Tyler Bertuzzi
Bertuzzi had a rough start in Toronto. He was seen laughing on the bench at Marchand after he gave Liljegren a can opener which led to a high ankle sprain.
After that Bertuzzi played much better and was much more physical and played his game more. He was snake-bitten and unlucky up until the All-Star break when the results started showing up.
He played 80 games, scored 21 goals and had 22 assists for 43 points. Something worth noting is the 80 games Bertuzzi was able to play in.
He has an extensive injury history and 80 games played is his new career high. It surpassed the 2018-19 season in Detroit where he played 73. Bertuzzi being so healthy was a welcome surprise for the Leafs but when looking at a new deal, that scares me. (all stats nhl.com all cap info capfriendly.com).
I like the player, I thought he performed well in Toronto and was a pest in the playoffs but a long-term deal would concern me. With him being 29 and an extensive injury history, this deal has a good chance of aging poorly.
By every report, the Leafs want to keep him but I do think he ends up leaving. I'd like him to stay on a shorter-term deal but I don't think that is realistic.
When free agency rolls around, I think a team will offer him a bigger deal with term and he ends up leaving. My prediction is Barry Trotz will continue the trend of signing Leafs in free agency and signing Bertuzzi to a five-year deal with an average annual value of 5.5 to 6 million.
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I will keep track of my predictions on Twitter where you can follow me @MatteoG29_. I will also release another article where I do the same thing but for the expiring defenceman so look out for that as well.