July 1 is only one day away and while the prevailing wisdom says that the Toronto Maple Leafs will not be active on the free agent market, they do have a couple of holes that could be filled by young UFA's.
Don't expect the Leafs to seek expensive, older free agents in an attempt to improve the line-up. That directly clashes with the idea of rebuilding and the Leafs can't afford any more bad contracts.
Cliff Fletcher said recently that he would pursue young free agents who are willing to stay in Toronto for the long haul. I'm not sure if I agree with long-term deals for anyone at this point, but if it can be done at a reasonable rate, I can live with it.
Toronto should be targeting young, second-tier free agents who won't break the bank and who will play significant roles in the team's future.
So, without further tomfoolery, here's a look at who the Leafs could be after.
BACKUP GOALIE
With the departure of both Andrew Raycroft and Scott Clemmensen, the Leafs are in need of a number two goalie, since it looks like Justin Pogge will play another full year with the Toronto Marlies. There aren't a ton of goalies on the market, but there are a few the Leafs might be interested in.
1. Curtis Sanford, 28, Vancouver
Sanford has been a reliable backup during his time with the Blues and Canucks. He played 34 and 31 games, respectively, during his two full seasons in St. Louis, which is similar to his probable workload in Toronto. Fletcher says Toskala will play around 60 games, but that's if he stays healthy and that's no sure thing.
Likely salary: $700,000
2. Curtis Joseph, 41, Calgary
I know, I know, Cujo's name is thrown out every time the Leafs need a goalie. And I know he's 41 years old, but he showed last season with the Flames that he's well-suited to a backup role and he could surely handle 20-30 games with Toronto. Besides, it wouldn't surprise me to see Pogge called up near the end of the season and take a few of those games.
Likely salary: $1.2 million
3. David LeNeveu, 25, NY Rangers (RFA)
LeNeveu has been touted as a top goalie prospect for quite a while, but hasn't been able to establish himself at the NHL level. He's got 21 career games to his credit, all with Phoenix. He's got the size and temperament to be a solid backup.
The Leafs could probably nab him for under a million without the Rangers matching, since they have a couple of other goalies pushing for time. The Leafs would give up a third round pick for anything over $843,000.
Likely salary: $843,000
STAY-AT-HOME DEFENSEMAN
True, the Leafs got a great deal for Hal Gill, but it does leave them without a stay-at-home guy. With either Bryan McCabe or Pavel Kubina likely to be shipped out, the Leafs will be in need of a blueliner, as no one on the Marlies appears ready to make the jump. Staffan Kronwall can play full-time, but the Leafs still need to have seven guys to cover for Carlo Colaiacovo's annual injury parade.
1. Brooks Orpik, 27, Pittsburgh
I sense that Orpik will stay put in Pennsylvania, but if he does test the market, the Leafs should take a serious run at him. It will take some convincing to bring Orpik to a bottom-rung team, but if he's attracted by the challenge and if they can match the money he'll get elsewhere, it's certainly possible.
Likely salary: $2.5-3 million
2. Dmitri Kalinin, 27, Buffalo
He's not strictly a stay-at-home guy, but Kalinin is sound defensively and soaks up minutes like a sponge. He's a good hitter and has some offense as well. Somewhat injury prone, but that's not a big deal for a team like the Leafs, since they can treat injuries as an opportunity to audition their prospects.
Likely salary: $2-2.5 million
3. Jim Vandermeer, 28, Calgary
If there's one phrase that describes Jim Vandermeer, it's "tough as nails". He's made an NHL career out of being downright nasty. Loves to hit, which is something the Leafs' blueline currently lacks, except when Colaiacovo is in the line-up. Vandermeer tends to take bad penalties, though, so that could scare the Leafs off.
Likely salary: $1.1 million
TOP-SIX WINGER
1. Jason Williams, 27, Chicago
Williams is coming off an injury-plagued season, which may drop his market value. He still managed to put up 36 goals in 43 games. Plays a solid offensive game and is great on the PP. Williams might be a good fit alongside Alex Steen or Matt Stajan (or both) on the second line.
Likely salary: $2 million
2. Michael Ryder, 28, Montreal
Yeah, I know he had a terrible season, but you don't just forget how to score goals. Ryder is a sniper who could really bounce back with a guy like Nik Antropov setting him up. Signing him to a relatively cheap one-year deal wouldn't be much of a risk, but it could yield a big reward. Besides, I'm sick of him burning the Leafs on Saturday nights.
Likely salary: $2 million
3. Valtteri Filppula, 24, Detroit (RFA)
The Leafs are limited in what they can offer restricted free agents ($1.3 million, to be precise) because they don't have a second rounder next year and the first rounder is off limits. It would be worth their while to offer this gifted all-around player a long-term deal at $1.3 million. Odds are Detroit would match, but on the off-chance that they don't, Filppula would be a major coup for the Leafs.
Likely salary: $1.3 million
There are lots of other RFA options the Leafs could take a look at, including Tomas Fleischmann, Eric Nystrom, and David Backes, to name a few. There's no guarantee that any of them would work their way onto the top two lines, but all three would likely be available for $1.3 million or less.
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3 months ago
You guys can have Theodore. He's....ummm..... will he has nice hair! ;)
from 3 months ago
the leafs are rebuilding and need young players...but they also need some goal scorers liek marian hossa or brian rolston. I think they need cujo as a backup....brook orpik as a solid d-man... and a marian hossa as their allstar..the leafs have never had an amazing franchise goal scorer or player( except maybe for mats).
3 months ago
Josh all those guys you mentioned there would be fine coming to Toronto.
I think Joseph should be the backup. People will laugh and say they thought it was supposed to be a rebuild, but hey, we need a stop-gap to get to Pogge.
Toskala gets like 65 games, Joseph gets the rest, retires at years end, and Pogge comes up to back up next season.
I said they should get Jason Williams a long time ago in an article I did about free agents they should pursue. I am a little worried because he had a similar injury as Wellwood, but I guess the difference is Williams actually works out, so shouldn't be a problem.
And you forgot Sean Avery! :D...haha, I know this guy has the tendency to be a little puke, but we we're way too easy to play against last year.
Avery said he never made remarks about Blake, and the reporter who said it had to go back and apologize for being mis-informed, so to me I can believe that.
Plus he is such an effective guy. Clutch goal scorer. Loves the spotlight.
3 months ago
Yeah, I did forget Avery. I honestly would love to see him in Toronto. We'd see a big increase in PP time, that's for sure!
Dammit, Williams didn't score 36 goals last year. Why did I write that? @$&%@
3 months ago
I like Joseph as well. They need an experienced guy who KNOWS he's the backup for Toskala rather than a guy who didn't look like he wanted to be there half the time like Raycroft. He's an obvious choice and a class guy who also showed that he is still capable of playing at this level.
Brooks Orpik is a hardnosed defenceman who would look good on the blueline with Kaberle, a "healthy" Colaiacovo, and youngsters like Stralman, Woszniewski, White, and Kronwall. I still think Cliff will find a way to rid the club of Kubina and McCabe. It's all part of "The Drive For Tavares!"
3 months ago
Sounds like a broken record, same crap different day, come on guys don't give The Leaf Brass anymore bad moves.
Ryder sounds ok, but what the Leafs got rid of and what they are trying to unload are better than what is on the Flee Market.Yes you are right they are unloading some salary,big time.
But I sure as hell would be going after "Sean Avery" and "Ryder".
Hange in there guys,..."The Silver Fox" has the wheels turning,keep up the good writing guys, I am enjoying it all. Oh,..one more mind boggling thing,..what in hell is happening down on "The Farm",..
there never seems to be anyone quite ready.(Scout Problem).?????.
"We just watched a "Full Leaf Season" with guys that were not quite ready.",if "Pogg" is not ready now he will never be ready.Bring him up give him a shot,..ya never know.
from 3 months ago
Well.... one main reason you won't see Pogge with the Leafs this season is because Toskala is in the second year of a 3-year NO TRADE Contract! (Sound familiar?) They're not gonna bring him up to sit on the bench so only way you'll see Pogge up this year for any length of time is if Toskala gets hurt!
The second reason is that Pogge hasn't had the chance to be a number one goalie at the pro level as of yet! Some people may argue that he was last year. A closer look would reveal that... although Pogge played 49 regular season games... coach Greg Gilbert elected to go with Scott Clemmenson for the majority of the Marlie playoff run.
3 months ago
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS SO OFFENSIVE ABOUT MY COMMENT?????.
3 months ago
Hi folks thought I would let you know I am the guy on the right in the picture,playing in Pembroke Ont,
54 yrs ago,when The Rangers were knocking on my door.Went to Europe instead.
I will be making some comments on "What Is A Sport" BY "Alexander",continue your interesting remarks Blogger's.
3 months ago
Well, I got one guy right. Finger and Hagman weren't even on my radar, especially at that kind of money...
3 months ago
I remember a player that played for the Leafs many years ago, and a owner from Chicago By the name of Bill Wirtz offered him One Million.
He was called The Big "M" and every hockey fan and owner's remark was,..You got to be joking,no hockey player is worth that kind of money,.are you kidding was the out cry.
I was setting here on my computer trying to figure out the player,his past ,his present,and his future,in The N.H.L.TODAY, BASED ON THEIR SALARY,.along with the resent Free Agent Explosion.($$$).
I came up with this thought,if you want to stay sane,Player Versus Money...FORGET ABOUT THE MONEY AND CONSENTRATE ON THE PLAYER AND WHAT THE CLUB IS TRYING TO DO TO BUILD A BETTER HOCKEY TEAM.
(1) Jeff Fingers, is a nice addition,young,very smart,good dicipline,good shot,little on the chippie side and that is ok,.he will work well on special teams because of his puck handling abilityand smarts.
(2) Niklas Hagman,The Leafs did very well getting this guy,young at 29,quick,with good wheels,good wrister,plays well when it is tough,and when he finds the open ice he can kill a forechecking team,great around the net with a quick release.very good hands.
(3) (Curtis Joseph) Listen guys, Curtis is a well respect goalie and can still come up with a good game and of course you are going to get a 42 yr old goalie.He keeps himself in good shape and will give the Leafs 15/20 outings.Joseph will also be very good for Toskala,someone he can go too."Go Leafs."
3 months ago
Holy Mackinaw,..what kind of a scouting report is that,..."Jonas Frogren" The Swede,.. is not offensive minded,..But he makes a good first pass, Cliff,if you are going to sign players like that,..PLEASE,wake me when it's over.You did not want "Hossa' or "Avery",..but,.you like "Frogren" because he makes a good first pass,.."Amusing.",.yes,yes, I know he is a "D'" Man, so if that is the case get your coaching staff to teach your 'D' men to make that first pass, that you adore and keep what you have.
By the way,..what ever position I played,I always thought I only had that one chance,the first pass on the play.
3 months ago
I know,..I said I wanted to stop the "Sundin Talk",but I just want one more go at it.
"Cliff",..you and "The Toronto Mapleleafs", do not have a "Option" or the "Luxery" of being "Undecided",..as in "Mat Sundin".
You have a job to do in putting together the best possible team for "The Toronto Fan Base" and nothing or nobody,..including "Mat Sundin" should be allowed to disrupt or stand in the way of this business opperation.
So I say to you,.. "Cliff Fletcher" get on with the job and make what ever deal or deals you have in mind,..and be a better "Manager",.. "For The End Results."
3 months ago
^agreed Mitch, and I think that's what they're doing. Clearly with the forwards they've brought in and the money they've spent, Mats isn't in the plans.
If he wants to come back later in the summer at a somewhat reduced salary, I think they'd take him, but Fletcher's not banking on it I wouldn't say.
2 months ago
I just finnished gasping at the 2 hit shut-out 5-0 on my PC,Roy Halliday and Company over The A Rod's.
Seems strange to me that you can get this kind of performance with out your two big guns,Vernon Wells and Rios,may tell you something come trade time.
Yes I know, Holliday is one of the best,but the Jay's happen to have about the best pitching staff in The American League East.
"Overbay" has got to start moving runners,there has got to be better clutch hitting,they leave more runners in scoring postion than anyother team.
They have hit into more than 100 double plays,they have lost over 33 one run games.
If all of this is going to be the case after "The Funny Game In ZOOYORK",I would be looking at some of the big wallets on the team and make a move for some good quality young players.
This was suppose to be a big year for the Jay's,..WHAT! "Cito" was praying for 500 ball at the break and it sure would be nice.
Something for the better must happen, and soon,because as a team opperation 500 is not good enough and you can not wait until the N.Y.Y's.come to town to get 43,000 in the seats.
When you are talking of trying to make the "Wild Card" at the "All -Star" Break, you are in trouble.
Maybe we have another case of "The Leafs",....you know,."The Upstairs Gang",.hope not.
I pick "Halliday" to start "The All- Star Game."
2 months ago
Yes I know,. I should have wrote my BlueJay Story,.. on The Articale Page.Sorry about that.
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