Not only do the Toronto Maple Leafs face difficult trade decisions in an attempt to change things up with the core, but there is also speculation regarding what to do with their several upcoming unrestricted free agents.
Tyler Bertuzzi, a forward, is one of the names up for dispute. Bertuzzi had a tale of two seasons, as he struggled offensively in the first part of the season but improved in the second half. He had been goalless for 19 games before starting to score and finishing with 21 goals.
While he was able to pick it up and made an impact in the playoffs, re-signing him carries some risk because you never know what you’re going to get. Are you going to obtain the energetic Bertuzzi who crashed the net to score goals? Or would you select the one who had awful puck luck and struggled to convert on simple goals? His $5.5 million cap hit from last season does not deserve a rise, as there is greater incentive to re-sign Max Domi.
Fortunately for general manager Brad Treliving, there are some strong free agent possibilities to strengthen his offense and bring the same spark and enthusiasm in the top six.
Anthony Duclair
If the Maple Leafs want to add a player who can provide regular secondary scoring, Anthony Duclair should be at the top of their list. Duclair scored 24 goals and 42 points this season while playing for both the San Jose Sharks and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Spencer Lazary of THW had him as a trade option, and now that he’s ready to enter the market, why not circle back?
Duclair can score in a variety of ways and moves quickly enough to go past opponents. He isn’t the largest player, but he has the strength to fight his way through and seize his opportunity. He would have that advantage against Bertuzzi immediately.
During the regular season, Duclair was in the 93rd percentile for top skating speed and the 89th percentile for speed bursts of 20 mph. Offensively, he does the majority of his damage in front of the net or in high-danger areas, where he has 59 shots and 14 goals. Although Bertuzzi made a life in that sector, he lacked the quickness that this team lacked on occasion. Duclair has it, and despite his lack of physicality, he is fierce and motivated.
Coming off a recent contract with a $3 million cap cost, Duclair would undoubtedly be an upgrade over Bertuzzi. He may receive a $4 million raise, and signing him to a three-year contract would be an option for adding a solid secondary scorer to the roster. Duclair would make an excellent middle-six forward, capable of playing with pace and speed on the second or third line.
Jake DeBrusk
I guess we can add Jake DeBrusk to the list of opponents who have had success against the Maple Leafs in the playoffs. He was an underestimated Boston Bruins player, scoring five points in the seven-game series, three of which came in Game 1. That production continued against the Florida Panthers, as he scored five points in five games.
There has been an ongoing contract dispute between DeBrusk and the Bruins. Don Sweeney, the Bruins’ general manager, even stated in February that there is “a gap” between the two sides. With things looking bleak, the Maple Leafs should sign a player from one of their main competitors who understands when to step up during this time of year. When DeBrusk goes on the ice, you can tell he’s focused and can match the intensity of a game, as evidenced by his 47 postseason hits.
Similar to Bertuzzi, DeBrusk has struggled at times this season. However, he did manage to increase his output. There’s little doubt that he had a poor year. But the contract negotiations and lack of progress may have gotten to him. And, while he’s productive in the postseason, his overall numbers aren’t particularly outstanding.
If the Maple Leafs want to give him a one-year contract, as they did with Bertuzzi, to see if he can prove himself, that would be a terrific start. However, if he is hoping for a long-term contract, it may be a little hazardous. Giving $5 million or more to a guy who has only scored 50 points once is not ideal. He possesses the physicality required by the Maple Leafs, but his uneven productivity may cause them to reconsider.
Chandler Stephenson
The Vegas Golden Knights will face a significant cap crunch and must make difficult decisions. Is Shea Theodore on the trading market? Will Jonathan Marchessault or Chandler Stephenson resign?
The Golden Knights may wish to maintain Marchessault, who has been with them since the beginning. Stephenson, on the other hand, may be a free agent target because he is a powerful senior player with championship history who would be an excellent addition to the Maple Leafs. He’s 30 years old, but he may be a solid middle-six role player who can be brought in for about his prior salary hit of $2.75 million.
Stephenson has been a standout offensive player in recent seasons, scoring more than 50 points three times and 60 points twice. He’s proven that he can play with extremely gifted attacking players, and while his goal scoring may be lacking, he’s an effective, defensive-minded playmaker. He would be able to create an attack with his speed, defend the ball well, and place the puck in an ideal position for his linemates. He can play on the wing or in the middle, but he also contributes to the power play (2:53 per game during the regular season) and penalty kill (1:35).
Stephenson would be an excellent complementary player who can play intelligently while being energetic. He should certainly be on the Maple Leafs’ radar.
The Maple Leafs have a lot of personnel decisions to make, and while defense will be a priority, they also need to make some selections up front. Bertuzzi improved down the stretch, but there are stronger options on the market that may offer greater consistency for the same contract amount. Duclair, DeBrusk, and Stephenson may be excellent fits.
Statistics from Hockey Reference and NHL EDGE.
