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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