Three Ideal Free Agent Targets the Maple Leafs Should Pursue This Offseason
Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Toronto could add a lot to their team for a pretty solid price if they were to look at three free agents this summer, including a pair with some historic chemistry.
As the Maple Leafs look towards the future, one without Mitch Marner that is, they'll have to turn their attention to other names via the trade market or free agency, of which they'll have their fair share of options.
The team has a bit of money to play with, but they really shouldn't jump on a commitment until they have a reason to (McDavid 2026?) though there are a few options they can target who would help out a ton.
Toronto's Premium Target This Summer: Sam Bennett
First and foremost, there needs to be a bit of a culture change with the Leafs and who better to do that than Bennett?
An absolute monster on the ice, he's not going to blow you away offensively, but with his defense, tenacity, and playoff success he's going to make a difference.
Toronto knows him all too well and he took out Anthony Stolarz, which may have caused the Leafs to lose the series in the end. He's not afraid to get nasty, hurt people, and make a stamp on the game regardless of how he does it.
Does that always translate to success? No, but Bennett certainly brings a lot of accolades with him.
He's going to potentially win his second straight Cup, and has made three straight Finals appearances. He's not just a gritty center, he's a real impact player through and through.
If you were to put Bennett on the team, he could instantly move into the team's second line unit while giving a newly re-signed John Tavares a bit less pressure and help with the third line scoring woes.
Here's a potential line with Bennett:
Knies - Matthews - Domi
McMann - Bennett - Nylander
Holmberg - Tavares - Cowan
Lorentz - Kampf - Reaves
This would give Toronto a very balanced Top 9, and while there are certainly other pieces that could slot into the third and fourth lines, it's at least a solid foundation to work off of.
The issue is Bennett's price and willingness to play in Canada. He's made it known he doesn't wanna play here if he had a choice, and the fact there's going to be 20+ other teams with more money and opportunities come July 1, it's going to be really tough to sway him.
However, that doesn't mean Toronto is going to go away empty handed, as they have two players who could come in and help who have created something special before.
Toronto Focuses On Reuniting Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews
No, you didn't step into a time machine and transport back to the early to mid 2010's, but we could very well see a reunion between two of the NHL's most decorated players.
Kane is a free agent after spending this season with Detroit, and put up a solid year with 59 points in 72 games and while he's getting older, can still contribute much like John Tavares has.
He won't be nearly as expensive as he used to be, and the $4M cap hit he had last year won't really jump up much.
The USA's third-highest scorer in history could come in and revamp the third line and provide a ton of scoring while also bringing in some past chemistry.
Speaking of, Jonathan Toews has been out of hockey for a few years to deal with some health issues, but given his desire to return and make a comeback it could be a very savvy move for Toronto.
You're adding a three-time Cup winner, one of the NHL's greatest defensive forwards in recent memory, and someone who has proven to be one of the most clutch playoff performers of all time.
In 1,067 games Toews has 883 points (372G, 511A) and 119 points in 137 playoff games (45G, 74A).
If Toronto would present him and Kane with identical offers, or stuff Toews' contract with bonuses like Max Pacioretty's it could be a massive shift.
With both men (and Bennett) signed, here's a lineup that actually feels incredibly solid if not wildly different:
Knies - Matthews - Domi
Tavares - Bennett - Nylander
McMann - Toews - Kane
Holmberg - Laughton - Cowan
Your first line is pretty standard fare for the Maple Leafs, and the second line immediately gets better defensively, and with Bennett's tenacity and way to open up space, gives Nylander and Tavares the chance to succeed even more.
That third line though becomes one of massive intrigue.
We know how good Toews and Kane are together, and with Kane being as solid as he is, a motivated Toews playing alongside his old teammate, and a breaking out Bobby McMann to learn from the best? It could be a huge X-Factor.
The fourth line gets a boost with Easton Cowan, and allows Scott Laughton and Pontus Holmberg to try and figure out some defensive chemistry.
You could also see Bennett, Toews, and Kane on the same power play too, with Bennett manning the pivot with Toews and Kane playing the role of cyclers. They can feed Bennett crashing the net and hope for more rebounds and chaos up front.
It feels like a video game if the Maple Leafs can come out with one, let alone all three players mentioned.
However it shouldn't stop them from trying, and with no Mitch Marner and no firm direction: Why not change things up while you figure it out?
| POLL | ||
MAI 28 | 444 ANSWERS Three Ideal Free Agent Targets the Maple Leafs Should Pursue This Offseason Who should the Maple Leafs try and sign in free agency? | ||
| Sam Bennett | 252 | 56.8 % |
| Patrick Kane | 41 | 9.2 % |
| Jonathan Toews | 49 | 11 % |
| Other | 102 | 23 % |
| List of polls | ||
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