Filling Out the Roster: Cheaper Free Agent Options For the Toronto Maple Leafs

The appointment of Dion Phaneuf as Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs this past Monday  may begin a change in the inspiration and the culture of the team. Previously, the dressing room was quiet and lacked a vocal leader; as soon as Phaneuf entered the dressing room, he shouted, "Where's the music?"

It was at this moment that the players took notice and Leaf fans began to see some light at the end of the tunnel of mediocrity. 

With that said, Phaneuf also clamored that the Leafs simply needed bigger and better forwards. While GM Brian Burke claimed he's never heard a player ever say that to him, he liked the motivation stemming from Phaneuf.

The goal of this article is to outline 10 potential and practical free agent additions to the club at a price tag of under four million dollars. The Leafs do have cap space, but they also have plenty of holes up front and signing a 10 million dollar front line player is out of the Leaf's reach.

C Brendan Morrison

2010 Numbers: 12 G 30 A 42 P +23

Morrison is a good face off man as well as a strong play maker. While he's not the biggest of forwards, he is still a strong veteran player to fill out the bottom six. He's too inconsistent to be playing big minutes on the top six, but having him play a checking role could be a smart addition.

I have a good feeling about him as a member of the Leafs. Brian Burke is very familiar with him, having played for the Canucks and Ducks, and he's a typical smart player that the Leafs have lacked.

Potential Role: Decent 3rd line center, could be had for about 1.5-2 million.

C John Madden

2010 Numbers: 10 G 13 A 23 P -2

Madden is 36, but his value to the club with the loss of Rickard Wallin and Wayne Primeau is quite large. Madden is a world class penalty killer and has great speed. He's not the best on the offensive front but that isn't a problem if he plays his role well. 

Madden is a Toronto native nearing the end of his career. Having just won a cup, finishing his career in his hometown is a strong possibility.

Potential Role: Decent 3rd or 4th line center, top option as a penalty killing forward. Salary will be in the 1.5-3 million range.

C Chris Higgins

2010 Numbers: 8 G 9 A 17 P -9

Not the greatest of numbers, but before 2008, he consistently put up more than 20 goals per season. Becoming a teammate with friend Mike Komisarek, a current Leafs defenseman could add extra incentive towards joining the team. Higgins' main appeal is that he's a great two way forward; he has good speed and is very good at killing penalties. You can see a theme here—looking for good two way forwards who can check and kill penalties.

Potential Role: Good 3rd line winger who will kill penalties and be responsible defensively. Salary should be around 1.5-2 million at most.

LW Raffi Torres

2010 Numbers: 19 G 17 A 36 P -11

Again, these are not outstanding numbers, but at 6'0 220 lbs, he is just what Phaneuf wants. Torres is a player in the Darcy Tucker mold. He's best when in front of the net causing havoc. He's a great player in the corners and is a good veteran to have on the team. 

He's also another local boy who could come at a hometown discount, but in today's economy, I doubt that's happening. 

Potential role: Good 2nd line winger, potentially 3rd if he stinks in camp. Salary should be roughly 2 to 3.5 million.

LW Taylor Pyatt

2010 Numbers: 12 G 11 A 23 P +13

At 6'4 230 lbs, Pyatt is a force on the front line. His combination of size and speed lends himself nicely into a third or fourth line role. He saw his offensive game increase last year with the addition of Lee Stempniak to the Coyotes team and he hasn't looked back since.

After the death of his fiancee Carly, I had a hard time believing he'd be back to playing hockey at the level he displayed last year. That's a huge credit to him as a person, and for this year, with his perseverance and heart, I could see him being a Burke—type player. He played on Vancouver from 2006-2009 and may be looking to return to Canada now that he's dealt with all his personal issues.

Potential Role: Good checking forward with some finish. Salary should be roughly 750K to 1.5 million.

LW Matt Cooke

2010 Numbers: 15 G 15 A 30 P +17 106 PIM

He'll fill out the agitator role with the Leafs. Another good option for a third line player, he'd provide a Colton Orr—like presence, but with a lot more offensive ability.

Again, he's another local kid from Belleville. He's got good size and he's an excellent penalty killer and open-ice hitter. At the right price, he could be an awesome option for the Leafs.

Potential Role: Checker and penalty killer. Salary should be roughly 1-2.5 million.

RW Arron Asham

2010 Numbers: 10 G 14 A 24 P -2 124 PIM

Another Brian Burke—type player. A tough, hard—nosed forward with some added scoring touch. Not the tallest player, but he's willing to go anywhere on the ice but especially likes to crash the net. Rarely last season would you see a Leaf player other than Colton Orr crash the crease.

Potential Role: 3rd line winger, possibly 4th. Salary should be from 750K-1.5 million.

RW Nikolai Zherdev

2010 Numbers (KHL):13 G 26 A 39 P 79 PIM

There is talk about Zherdev returning to the NHL and for the flight risk, he could be a risky sign, but one that is a cheaper option to signing Ilya Kovalchuk. His last two seasons in the NHL he scored 23 and 26 goals, respectively, therefore proving to possess the hands to play a top six role with the team. 

Again, he's not a Burke—type player, but can't you say that about Nazem Kadri too? I'm looking for cheaper options and he seems to fit the Kovalchuk light type of option.

Potential Role:2nd line right winger playing alongside Bozak or Kadri. Salary 2-3.5 million.

C Ryan Johnson

2010 Numbers: 1 G 4 A 5 P -4

Johnson would be specifically signed to play a fourth line checking role. He has blinding speed and is a great fore checker and penalty killer—Exactly the type of player the Leafs could use. His price tag should be very affordable for them.

Potential Role: Penalty killer, face off man and 4th line checker. Salary 1 to 2 million.

D Brett Clark

2010 Numbers : 3 G 17 A 20 P +6

He's a very defensively aware defender who has learned under the Adam Foote school of shot blocking. He's got some offensive talent, but his main gift is on the defensive end where he is a dynamo.

Potential role Penalty killing defenseman, could crack top four, but more likely a bottom two defenseman on the Leafs. Salary should be decent, but nothing too rich. A 2yr 5 million dollar contract may be enough to get him.

So that's my 10. If you could choose say 3 or 4 guys, which guys would you like to see the Leafs sign. Please share your comments.