Toronto Maple Leafs: What to Do with Each Leafs Free Agent This Offseason

Heading into the 2012 offseason, Toronto Maple Leafs management will have their hands full in trying to turn this Leafs squad into a playoff team in time for April of 2013.

At this point, the Leafs are looking at just $7.6 million in cap space (subject to change under the new collective bargaining agreement) and must fill at least seven roster spots.

With a few free agents due for a raise, keeping the team that finished a disappointing 13th in Eastern Conference in tact will be difficult itself, let alone transforming it into a club that can make the jump to the top eight.

Let's take a look at Toronto's pending free agents and what should be done about each of them.

Nikolai Kulemin

Nikolai Kulemin will undoubtedly be Brian Burke's first priority this offseason when it comes to his own team's free agents.

Kulemin will be a restricted free agent this offseason, and despite having a horrendous 2011-2012 campaign, he is just a year removed from putting up 30 goals and may receive some interest from teams looking for a young scoring threat.

Because Kulemin's salary was over $1 million this season, Toronto's qualifying offer must simply be equivalent to his current salary ($2.35 million per season).

After looking like a different player over his last two seasons, I wouldn't expect Kuelmin to fetch too much more than $2.5 million per season over a two- or three-year period.

Verdict: Re-Signs with Toronto for three years at $2.7 million per season.

Matt Frattin

As soon as the Nikolai Kulemin situation has been sorted out, I would not be surprised if Brian Burke immediately shifted his focus to another young winger in Matt Frattin.

Frattin is in the same boat as Kulemin when it comes to the qualifying offer (Toronto must simply match the $1.3 million they paid him this season), and seeing as he will most likely be in line for a full-time gig with the Maple Leafs next season, there is no doubt in my mind that Brian Burke will ink this kid to a new contract.

The key will be to see how much they dole out.

Using the James Reimer contract as a comparison, I wouldn't expect Frattin to get much more than $1.5 million per season.

After all, he didn't have quite the breakout year in his limited time as Reimer did a season ago, and Reimer was extended at $1.8 million per season.

Verdict: Re-Signs with Toronto for three years at $1.6 million per season.

Joey Crabb

Joey Crabb is the first Maple Leafs player on this list that will be an unrestricted free agent come July 1st.

While Crabb got off to a great start this season (much like the rest of the team) and provided the Leafs with great energy, it isn't likely that Joey fits into the long-term plans in Toronto.

With guys like Mike Zigomanis and Ryan Hamilton (also a restricted free agent) playing well for the Marlies, Crabb becomes easily expendable.

Verdict: Crabb is looking for a new place to call home on July 1st.

Jay Rosehill

Jay Rosehill will head into July 1st as an unrestricted free agent as well.

The Leafs' resident tough guy's future may depend on the health of Colton Orr, who the Leafs will still have under contract.

If the Leafs feel Orr can return to NHL form by October, it's not likely Rosehill will be re-signed.

With Burke also heading into free agency looking for some grit to toughen up the team, having Rosehill around won't be as necessary.

Plus, the Leafs still have a spark plug in Mike Brown returning for 2012-2013.

Verdict: The Leafs let the tough guy walk.

Cody Franson

For those who don't yet know my feelings about what the Maple Leafs should do with Cody Franson, I urge you to take a look at the article I wrote about it earlier this week.

The question here, however, is what will the Leafs do with the 6'5" restricted free agent.

Even with their depth on the blue line, the Leafs have already dealt away one big man recently in Keith Aulie, and they may not want to part with yet another big-bodied youngster this offseason.

With his shot, size and having already played some important hockey in his young career, Franson may just be too good for the Leafs to let walk.

Verdict: Franson stays in Toronto for four years at $2.2 million per season.

Jonas Gustavsson

Jonas Gustavsson and his $1.35 million contract are also hitting the open market this July.

Despite carrying the team during their hot streak in January, it is hard for me to think of a possibility where Gustavsson is in Leafs blue come October.

With Scrivens emerging as a solid option for Toronto right now with the Marlies and Reimer already locked up for another few years, re-signing Gustavsson doesn't seem like a wise move for Brian Burke.

Couple the depth with his erratic, inconsistent and sometimes downright horrible play, and Toronto will probably look to use his $1.35 million salary to address some of their other needs in July.

Verdict: This Swedish netminder is temporarily out of a job come Canada Day.

Ben Scrivens

If there was any question as to whether Ben Scrivens would be re-upped by Leafs management this offseason, it has quickly dissipated.

After posting the best goals-against average in the AHL this season, and top save percentage of the AHL postseason to this point, Scrivens will certainly be back in Toronto next season.

The question, though, is where?

Will he be competing for the starter's job with James Reimer? Or will Brian Burke bring in a bona fide starting goaltender and force Scrivens into competing for the backup job?

This question also complicates just how much Scrivens will be re-signed for.

Verdict: Scrivens re-signs with Toronto for four years at an amount yet to be determined.