Toronto faces a deadline to extend qualifying offers to several free agents including both Nick Robertson and Matias Maccelli.
The Maple Leafs have gotten off to a pretty solid start this offseason with several moves still left to go. However they are going to have to deal with free agency in a few days as the dogfight to add what's left of the premium names available becomes heated.
But not only that, but Toronto has a slew of RFA's who need to be re-signed as well including Nick Robertson, Matias Maccelli, and William Villeneuve. The former two are solid pieces of the bottom-six meanwhile Villeneuve just had a stellar postseason where he added 21 assists and a lethal part of the power-play.
Nick Robertson is the most interesting case of the Maple Leafs' RFA's
If they want to make sure they get themselves a qualifying offer however, then Toronto only has until 5PM on Monday to do so.
Toronto's list of RFA's who need a qualifying offer are a variety of Maple Leafs lineup staples, Marlies standouts as well as newcomer Emil Andrae who came over in the Joseph Woll deal:
- Nick Robertson
- Matias Maccelli
- Jacob Quillan
- Emil Andrae
- Henry Thrun
- Ryan Tverberg
- William Villeneuve
But the one name that stands out is Robertson, who has been at the talks of trade speculation for years on top of him feeling like he hasn't been getting his fair shake. Expected to be a top-six player, he hasn't been able to show what he can do, but also hasn't been given a prominent role.
He threatened arbitration last year and handcuffed the Maple Leafs into signing him to a $1.825-million contract. He had a career year this season, but a lot of that was due to injuries pushing him up the lineup. Toronto can qualify him but he doesn't have to accept it and he's also asked for a trade before.
There's no telling how he fits into the lineup especially with how the team is overhauling things and while he's only had three full seasons, he's had six seasons total to give Toronto a showcase of what he can do but he can never reach that next level.
There is a world where Jim Hiller finds a spot for Robertson to thrive, but Toronto has to be careful not to overpay. He's going to ask for a lot and it's likely he rejects the offer and tries for more money with arbitration a real possibility.
The RFA deadline puts a spotlight on who Toronto envisions in their future
With Robertson out of the way, focus shifts to the other names. Maccelli was a solid piece of the bottom-six though he cost nearly $3.5-million and it's a lot of money to hope for a 45-50 point bottom-six winger.
The team is looking to get a lot tougher and a bit meaner in the bottom half of the lineup and Maccelli is a bit more of a creative type who may get pushed out. Gavin McKenna is coming in, there's Patrick Kane rumblings, and who knows what other deals Toronto has in mind.
Andrae came over in the Joseph Woll trade and he is likely going to sign with the team as they envision him as part of the third-pair defence. He's a mobile puck-mover who loves to play physical and has a mean streak so in addition to the offensive side he'll bring what the team lost in Simon Benoit.
The rest of the players are Marlies standouts who should be brought back with Villeneuve one of the more intriguing names. He's an incredible facilitator and hasn't gotten a true shot yet. He's proven he can handle pressure and provide serious offence and should fight with Andrae for that final spot.
Quillan had a bit of a rough season though he is still someone who can slot into the fourth line centre role and provide physicality, defence, and a clutch factor that he's proven time and time again.
Thrun is someone who might not be in the plans as Toronto drafted some pretty good defencemen, already have multiple NCAA signings waiting for their chance, and Thrun is solid, but more depth than anything.
Tverberg really showed some life in the playoffs and formed a great bit of chemistry with Easton Cowan. He's a scrappy bottom-six winger who loves to get dirty, is fearless, and has a knack for playmaking that is overshadowed by his gritty nature. He was crucial to the Marlies Calder Cup run and should earn a deal and fight for minutes this preseason.
Should the Maple Leafs re-sign Nick Robertson and Matias Maccelli?
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