Two Affordable Forwards Emerge as Maple Leafs Depth Targets After Contract Terminations

There's a lot other talk around who Brad Treliving is going to bring on the Maple Leafs roster this summer, with discussions ranging from Brad Marchand, to Patrick Kane to smaller names like Pius Suter.

Options are slim but still numerous, and while premium targets have been re-signed, there are still a few moves the team can make without breaking the bank and giving Craig Berube some very useful pieces in the process.

But after Frank Seravalli revealed that the contracts of Joe Veleno and Conor Sheary were being terminated, it adds two very affordable and reliable names to add this summer.

Both men can add some much needed help to Toronto's bottom six, and are in need of a fresh start. With the Leafs looking for the same thing, should they sign one of the league's newest free agents?

Starting off with Sheary, who was a mainstay with the Penguins and is a two-time Cup winner with the club, and would re-join Matt Murray if he sticks with the Leafs as well.

Although he's only 5'8, his height doesn't disparage his passion, and he plays hard every shift and isn't afraid to get into the grittier parts of the game. He's solid defensively and has 267 points in 593 games (124G, 143A) and had 17 points in Pittsburgh's two Cup wins.

He struggled this season with Tampa Bay, only playing in five games and not registering a point. Sheary would be a great third-line presence with proven winning credentials, and while not your typical Brad Treliving signing, would be an overall improvement over Nick Robertson.

Veleno, 26, is a fairly steady offensive presence, though his physicality is where his strength lies. Not afraid to hit, and another player over 6'0, he would be able to take over for David Kampf on the fourth line, while adding more offense and respectable faceoff numbers.

Both men are very cheap too, as they'll make about $2-million and even on a one-year deal is more than enough help to get Toronto through this season and into free agency of 2026.

Tuesday can't come soon enough.