Maple Leafs 2024 Free Agency Preview: Top targets, big needs

30/06/2024

The Toronto Maple Leafs have some gaping holes on their blue line, which will be the top priority when GM Brad Treliving picks up a fully charged phone on Canada Day.

“We do have some cap space. But you look at the holes we have to fill, and it goes quickly,” Treliving said.

Good news is, there are plenty of decent — but few spectacular — options on defence, and the Maple Leafs should be able to snatch up a couple of them. At least one who can play the right side in their top four.

Toronto must also address its need for an experienced goaltender and, possibly, a cheap third-stringer in the mold of Martin Jones.

Up front, the roster might get an inexpensive boost if prospects Fraser Minten and/or Easton Cowan can make the cut come October, but retaining UFAs Max Domi and/or Tyler Bertuzzi may be a long shot.

Treliving would be wise to allot some budget to round out his middle six as well.

Hey, like the man said, nearly $19 million in cap space is nice — but it will only go so far.

Salary cap space: $18.8 millionRoster size: 16/23Salary committed to forwards: $55.6 million (63.2 per cent of cap)Salary committed to defence: $12.8 million (14.6 per cent of cap)Salary committed to goalies: $776,667 (0.9 per cent of cap)

Potential UFA targets

Chris Tanev, RD

Treliving has had eyes for Tanev since the executive left Calgary.

Why wouldn’t he?

Tanev is precisely the type of heart-and-soul defender the Leafs should target.

The right shot (and GTA product) can help stabilize a risk-taking lefty (ask Quinn Hughes), take on 18 or 19 minutes of tough defensive assignments, and busy himself with the unpleasant business of killing penalties, D-zone starts and eating three square meals of pucks a day. Health can be a concern for the 34-year-old veteran because he plays such a gritty, honest game.

The catch here is twofold: (a) Tanev wants term, which is a risky proposition considering the wear on the player’s tires, and (b) he has plenty of suitors (Dallas, Ottawa, Vancouver among them) which could drive up the price.

After dealing for Tanev’s rights Saturday, Treliving is said to be pressing the defenceman to sign a six- or seven-year deal with a friendly cap hit.

Nikita Zadorov, LD

Treliving tried trading for a Tanev-Zadorov package in the fall, when the six-foot-six Russian ended up in Vancouver.

Again, the GM knows the player. Loves the player.

Zadorov’s superb performance in the playoffs (four goals, eight points in 13 games) only ratcheted up his stock ahead of his best chance to get paid.

The Canucks would like to keep him. Is he not a Rick Tocchet type player? But Zadorov’s asking price — $5 million times six years — is steep.

We like the player. We’d like him a lot more if that price drops.

David Perron, LW

Fetching a juicy deal from the Red Wings when he hit free agency two summers ago ($4.75 million AAV), the veteran Cup champion should be able to be had for less now that he’s 36 years old and producing just under his 20-goal, 50-point pace.

As forwards Domi and Bertuzzi may be pricing themselves out of Treliving’s range, Perron would inject Toronto’s middle six with leadership, grit, secondary scoring, and a power-play option.

Perron says his relationship with Craig Berube goes beyond that of player-coach. The two men are tight, and Berube will have a say in which players Toronto targets on Monday.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, LD

Not only can the Stanley Cup champion run a power play, but he has been rejuvenated by playing a key role in Florida, where he logged 80 games — his most in five years.

At age 32, OEL is a fine third-pairing addition who shouldn’t command a ton of term or dollars. He was excellent in a sheltered role for Florida’s pristine run.

Question: After the Vancouver buyout, does he wish to return to the scrutiny of a Canadian market?

Laurent Brossoit, G

While Treliving struck out on a Jacob Markstrom trade and is preparing to extend Joseph Woll as early as this summer, he still needs a capable veteran to supplement his crease.

The big goaltending fish have been spoken for, so circle Brossoit as a top target (followed by Anthony Stolarz and Cam Talbot).

A career No. 2, the 31-year-old Brossoit has never played more than 24 games at the NHL level, but he’s looking for more starts and is coming off excellent back-to-back campaigns of .927 goaltending.

He should be affordable.

OTHER NEWS