Three Free Agents That Could Transform The Maple Leafs' Bottom Six
The NHL free agency has been open for just over a week now and there are still many underrated quality talents left on the board that have gone right over every team's head, especially in the forward category.
The Toronto Maple Leafs need some upgrades to their bottom-six forward group in order to make it far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as roster depth is a very important thing to have. But due to many large contracts taking up salary space, they have very limited wiggle room.
Taking this into consideration, here are three remaining bottom-six forwards in free agency that the Leafs can get both for cheap and for a great boost to the forward depth.
Suter, a 27 year old center, is coming off of a two-year, $6.5M contract that he signed back with the Detroit Red Wings. However, he is coming off of a bit of a down year last season where he only was able to put up 24 points in 79 games, with 14 goals. Regardless, Suter is still a very productive bottom-six forward and coming off of a slightly less contributing year, the Leafs could definitely get him for a small one or two year deal.
Heinen is a 28 year old young and gritty winger that has played for three teams in three seasons. Although he is not known for putting up outstanding points on offense, he will never back down from another player and will never shy away from a cluster on the ice. With other tough player additions this summer for the Leafs such as Ryan Reaves and Tyler Bertuzzi, the addition on of Heinen would help even more, as toughness is an asset that the Leafs desperately need going into next season. So for Heinen to sign a cheap one-year deal in Toronto would not be a surprising or irrational move at all.
Lastly, Motte is another 28 year old, tough winger that does not back down from laying a body or defending himself from one. Motte has bounced around the league his entire career and has never found one place to consider his home, so prying him from another team won't be an issue. In just a rounded 12 minutes of average ice time in a game this past season, Motte put up career-year numbers for himself with 8 goals and 19 points. Not known for offensive production whatsoever, that wouldn't be an issue in Toronto as he could definitely add a physical stature to the fourth line.
As Read On The Leafs Nation - Three cheap free agents that could help bolster the Maple Leafs bottom-six
| POLL | ||
Which player do you think would be the best pick-up for the Leafs? | ||
| Pius Suter | 374 | 23.6 % |
| Danton Heinen | 484 | 30.5 % |
| Tyler Motte | 730 | 46 % |
| List of polls | ||
