For the sake of passing some time and not having to hear about the playoffs, I thought I’d throw out some free agent names that might interest the Leafs this offseason.
I won’t preface this with anything. We all know that simply signing bargarin free agents and running into next season won’t change much, but it’s fun to talk about, so let’s jump right into it.
Sam Gagner
Sam Gagner has had a bit of a history with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The London, Ontario native played 43 games with the Toronto Marlies during the 2018-19 season after he was waived, and subsequently passed through waivers, by the Vancouver Canucks. More recently he played for the Detroit Red Wings, where he posted 15pts in 42 games. That’s not exactly eye-popping offensive production, but he’s a good veteran player that can help fill out the team with depth and that appears to be the only criteria right now.
Riley Sheahan
I’ve been bringing up Sheahan as a potential free agent for the past couple of years now. So long in fact, that I’m not even sure if he’s worth signing anymore. This St. Catharines, Ontario native (I think you can see a trend already?) would help the PK unit and, after tying with Montreal for 23rd in the NHL in the regular season, they really need help there. Desperately.
Michael Bunting
This Group 6 UFA is just 25 years old and had a bit of a coming out party in Arizona this season. With 10 goals and 13 points in 21 games, the native of Toronto, Ontario is headed for the open market. If he could sign a reasonable deal, the allure of playing on the wing in the top 6 in Toronto may be too much to deny.
Brock McGinn
Brock McGinn has never produced a large number of points, but he is capable of helping a teams penalty kill, which, again, the Leafs are DESPERATELY IN NEED OF!!! KYLE!!! Anyway, this Fergus, Ontario native (it’s just getting silly now) has played his entire career in the Carolina system. If he hits the market he should get a call from the Leafs GM.
Corey Perry
The one that got away. It’s said that Perry wanted to join the Leafs organization last season and they certainly could have used some of his grit. But, instead, the team decided to go with Jimmy “Super Smaht” Vesey and the rest is history. The boy that grew up in Peterborough, Ontario, should get another chance to join the Leafs this summer….. that is if the Leafs GM is willing to give him a shot.
Josh Ho-Sang
Ho-Sang has 24pts in 53 NHL games in his career, but hasn’t played in the NHL since the 2018-19 season. There’s a lot of negative history with this player, but he always showed some skill and that’s exactly what this organization likes. Skill without grit. So, Ho-Sang should be a lock to join the team this summer.
He’s from Toronto as well.
Let’s hope Kyle Dubas can grab a couple of solid depth pieces from the scrap heap. If he doesn’t start hitting home runs with some of his depth signings the team is in for a tough year, especially considering that they are set to return to a division with teams like Tampa Bay, Boston and Florida.