Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
There are still a handful of free agents available for the Maple Leafs this offseason, so let’s take a look at 5 bargain deals the team can bring in.
Although the Maple Leafs don’t have a ton of cap space available now that Nick Robertson has been signed, the team still has a chance to add some more depth to their lineup and potentially add the final piece.
There are several names still on the market, but we’re going to take a look at five players who fit the bill.
How Cap-Friendly Deals Could Make a Big Difference
That isn’t expensive but it is out of Toronto’s wheelhouse unless they make a trade involving one of their bigger contracts like David Kampf. If they can find a buyer, then Roslovic can slide into any place in the lineup, and his familiarity with Auston Matthews is also a critical factor.
Last season he added 22 goals for the Hurricanes and it’s a bit surprising he is still available, but he would make a lot of sense for the Maple Leafs without breaking the bank, though they need to have a bit more liquidity to make it work.
Olofsson is no stranger to the Atlantic Division, being a member of the Sabres for a few seasons, and though he didn’t have a great season in Vegas last year, he still could bring a lot to the Leafs.
He has three 20-goal seasons including a 28-goal outburst in 2022-23, he’s solid defensively, is disciplined (a sore spot for Toronto last year) and he’s projected to make $3.4-million according to AFP Analytics; however with him not getting a deal yet, he could take a pay cut.
Olofsson has the ability to play in the top-nine and make an impact, though it also depends if the team can end up affording him.
Pouring in 40 points last season (1 goal, 39 assists), he would have been second on the team and only one point behind Morgan Rielly for top spot; he’s solid defensively too so you’re not sacrificing that and he likes to block shots too (a Craig Berube special).AFP projects him to make $3.7-million which would be a $1-million increase over last year, and if Toronto wanted to move on from someone like Oliver Ekman-Larsson and add more youth and offensive potential; Grzelcyk makes perfect sense.Kiviranta is a more understated name available on the market, but for a player who just scored 16 goals and started to really find his footing; he’s gonna make some type of impact.
He doubled his career-high in goals, he added 114 hits, had plus-15 rating, and even in a pinch won nearly 48% of his face-offs. A jack of all trades, master of none, Kiviranta is only expected to earn $1.1-million; the exact amount Toronto has left.
Plus, he’s only 29 and really started to blossom; much like another Maple Leaf in Bobby McMann. He’s a huge improvement over Calle Jarnkrok and while he may not be as defensively savvy as David Kampf, he offers more overall.
What about bringing a free agent back for one more go round? Pacioretty was a pleasant surprise for the Maple Leafs in the postseason last year, and although he only skated for less than half the season he was still effective.
There is concern though about where he fits considering all the additions the Maple Leafs made this season, and despite his postseason help, there’s no guarantees he will do the same or even be healthy in the first place.
So it might be the cheapest option on the list, but it may be best to avoid him; it’s not personal. Just business.
There you have it, five bargain players the Maple Leafs could target, and with a calendar slowly ticking down to training camp, a move has to be made.
The only question is who, and when?
Previously on HockeyPatrol