https://theathletic.com/4706728/2023/07/31/maple-leafs-bargain-free-agents/
The future Hall of Famer – **Jonathan Toews**, C, 35, 2022-23 cap hit: $10.5 million
The returning Leaf – **Zach Aston-Reese**, LW/RW, 28, 2022-23 cap hit: $840,630
The reclamation project – **Jesse Puljujarvi**, RW, 25, 2022-23 cap hit: $3 million
The sentimental choice – **Sam Gagner**, C, 33, 2022-23 cap hit: $750,000
The PTO option – **Derick Brassard**, C, 35, 2022-23 cap hit: $750,000
The mid-season add – **Ethan Bear**, RD, 26, 2022-23 cap hit: $2.2 million
The insurance defenceman – **Scott Harrington**, LD, 30, 2022-23 cap hit: $750,000
by malliabu
17 Comments
I feel like Matt Dumba is an under the radar choice. He might have waited too long and the money just isn’t there.
Sign a 1year deal in TOR, make a few hits and get a ton of media coverage — cash in next year.
Pool Party is too risky for my taste. ZAR was a nothingburger.
I like Gagner just because of the JT connection but thats sentiment over logic.
Basically, I wouldn’t bemoan any of these and they could be plesant suprises but its hard to be excited.
Wasn’t it leaked that Toews isn’t playing again? Like his name wasn’t in a registry or something.
Knies – Toews – Jarnkrok would be a nice 3rd though I think.
– Toews: no, he’s washed and why would he take league min to play here on the 4th line?
– Aston-Reese: I’m actually surprised Dubas hasn’t picked him up for the Pens. He doesn’t seem to fit Tree’s vision for the bottom 6
– Puljujarvi: he’s 25. This is who he is. He had YEARS to pad his counting stats in Edmonton and failed each time in a top 6 role. He’s a bust and should be playing in Europe
– Gagner: washed. Next.
– Brassard: washed. Next.
– Ethan Bear: a shittier version of Klingberg. No point in adding him
– Harrington: he’s a 8th/9th defenceman. There’s more gained in terms of morale from giving guys on the Marlies a look if they’re having a good season in the A.
Dump Holl and Grab Bear for 2.5M?
10.5M is a bargain deal 😂
None of these are great candidates.
a dream would be toews for 1m and kane for 3.5m but getting reaves killed that
We’re still a ways over the cap, there’s no way Toews comes to play for the Leafs. Besides, he’s aging out and his health isn’t looking good.
Sam Gagner is only 33?!
Ethan Bear can’t play defense. He was horrible on Edmonton and their D got better after he left. He’s like a poor man Tyson Barrie who is a poor man’s NHL calibre defenseman.
Sam Gagner is still playing? In this economy?
Ethan Bear plzzz. We are desperate for a penalty killer on the right side of our defence
Dumba
Tatar is my favourite UFA still on the market, the Tatar-Danault-Gallagher and Tatar-Hischer-Mercer/Bratt/Zetterlund combinations all were elite on the defensive end. Tatar-Kampf-Jarnkrok as our 3rd line would be a legit threat to other teams top lines.
Pius Suter would be great Kampf insulation as a bottom-six C.
We’re already over the cap brah