Maple Leafs Will Need Creativity to Land Top Free Agent Target
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to need to figure out a potential workaround if they decide to go ahead and try and sign Matt Duchene.
As the team most likely moves on from Mitch Marner, it's going to be up to the Maple Leafs to find different ways to replace him, and while they might not be as offensively gifted; it changes the team's DNA for sure.
Matt Duchene wants stability, Toronto has the means to offer that
So if they wanted to sign Matt Duchene, who recently revealed that he wanted some comfort and stability in his next deal, they might have to find a way to get the jump on him:
As a family, my kids are getting to the point where you're looking for stability, so one-year deals are tough, Duchene admitted.
I don't know what's going to transpire and I'll have to wait and see what's out here. I feel like I've hopefully put myself in a good position. - The Fourth Period
I don't know what's going to transpire and I'll have to wait and see what's out here. I feel like I've hopefully put myself in a good position. - The Fourth Period
Dallas is going to have issues keeping Duchene long-term, especially if they are looking to re-sign Jamie Benn, extend Jason Robertson long-term, or keep deadline acquisition Mikael Granlund.
So Toronto should use that to their advantage and make a very similar deal to one that brought another Stars player over last summer.
Brad Treliving could offer a Chris Tanev-esque contract
Upon acquiring his rights for prospect Max Ellis (who played in Europe this season) and a seventh-round pick, the Maple Leafs immediately extended Tanev Tanev for six-years, $27M.
It made sure that Tanev was to finish his career with the Maple Leafs barring any bizarre circumstances, gave him a respectable yearly amount, and set up his family well after his retirement.
With Duchene he can offer something similar. While he won't be a wildly expensive signing, there's certainly ways to keep him happy and make sure he's comfortable for the remainder of his career.
He's had a bit of a career resurgence in Dallas, and was a point-per-game player this season (82P; 30G, 52A) while making $5M.
Trading him for a prospect like Topi Niemala and Roni Hirvonen; two players who haven't found their footing in Toronto, along with Pittsburgh's 2025 3rd round pick should be enough to seal the deal.
Taking a bit of a hit per year, Duchene could take a five-year, $21.25M contract to give him one final big deal and allow him to add to the near $100M he's made in his career.
That gives Toronto a solid 2C for the next few seasons, before transitioning into a smaller role down the line. It also makes a John Tavares re-signing possible, but not as guaranteed as we thought.
Brad Treliving wants to change the DNA of the Maple Leafs, and Matt Duchene wants financial stability.
That's something both men can work towards accomplishing, and bringing a new dynamic to the makeup of the team.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 1 | 564 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Will Need Creativity to Land Top Free Agent Target Would you try and sign Matt Duchene if you were the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 307 | 54.4 % |
| No | 257 | 45.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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