Friday is the start of the NHL Draft, and the rush to sign free agents for the league begins shortly after. GM Brad Treliving of the Toronto Maple Leafs has indicated that he will be involved in team activities, and the team is being linked to a few players. As the organization works to secure deals with some of its players, some options are internal. The team believes that the other targets, which come from various organizations, complement what Treliving is attempting to achieve.
Here’s the most recent information on four pending UFAs and the Leafs’ position regarding their futures.
Toronto Has Chris Tanev at the Top of the List
Defense Officer The Dallas Stars and the Maple Leafs are engaged in a bidding war, with Chris Tanev at the center of it. He will be paid—possibly too much—and, once the bell for free agency rings, it won’t be long before he finds a job. “I am convinced that Chris Tanev will be a Toronto Maple Leaf,” Carlo Colaiacovo stated this week on TSN’s First Up. This is not the only analyst’s opinion, either.
Many teams will make offers to the defenseman, but the Leafs have the ability to frontload any agreement and add bonuses, giving them the opportunity to avoid being locked into the last years of a longer-term contract. There will be some fans who will be unhappy if he signs a five-year contract. Given the perception that they adore this player, they might be prepared to overpay.
Is Tyler Bertuzzi Going to Enter the Free Agency?
Although the latest rumors indicate that Tyler Bertuzzi is leaving the team, it appears that he may still decide to return to the Leafs. According to reports from insiders like Darren Dreger, Bertuzzi is open to working with the Maple Leafs and is willing to be flexible before accepting offers from other teams.
“Tyler Bertuzzi is very motivated to stay with the Leafs,” stated Dreger. He thinks he fits in really well there. He’s open to using his imagination. He is not considering the $5.5 million from a one-year contract from the previous year. He is aware that he must take less. According to Chris Johnston, Bertuzzi wasn’t adopting the “pay more or I’m out the door” attitude. Bertuzzi wishes to see it work, and no hard lines have been drawn.
Bertuzzi’s top priority is term, which is the problem for Toronto.
For Toronto, is Steven Stamkos a viable option?
There’s an intriguing story emerging out of Tampa Bay that seems to indicate Steven Stamkos won’t be joining the Lightning again. According to Pierre LeBrun: “I’ve been informed by Don Meehan, Stamkos’ agent, that his client will become a free agent on July 1st.” Would the Leafs change course and sign him as a second-line center in order to acquire this player?
There has been discussion for years that the Leafs might target Stamkos if he is available on Monday. The Detroit Red Wings and Nashville Predators are likely to be strong competitors, so the likelihood of a Stamkos trade to Toronto is uncertain. The Leafs could want to look into it.
At the conclusion of this season, John Tavares most likely will be leaving. This season, there might be a spot available on the roster if Max Domi isn’t returning. The Leafs will require more offensive if they decide to trade Mitch Marner. Overpaying for Stamkos, who may be leaving Tampa because they weren’t ready to grant his request, would be the problem.
Brett Pesce: Tanev’s Fallback Option for Toronto?
There are rumors that the Leafs plan to sign two right-shot defensemen this summer, but a lot of that will depend on how much money is available for other uses and how much a player such as Brett Pesce fetches on the open market. Pesce would fit in nicely in the Maple Leafs’ starting four because of his obvious fit with the team.
If they don’t add Tanev, the Maple Leafs will have cap space and may choose to add both players, depending on the quantity. Pesce’s interest from other teams and his short shelf life on the open market present a problem for Toronto.
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