Toronto Maple Leafs: Five Restricted Free Agents Ripe for the Picking
The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a very eventful offseason, acquiring Kris Versteeg, Colby Armstrong, Mike Brown, Clarke MacArthur, and Matt Lashoff. In doing so, the Leafs traded only one roster player in Viktor Stalberg.
This article makes the assumption that Leafs' GM Brian Burke will be trading to acquire any of these players. Burke has stated in the past his distaste for offer sheets, and—as shown by the Kessel deal—would most likely acquire these players via trade.
The following five restricted free agents are players who would have a very significant impact on the Leafs' roster if they were acquired. All young players who are still unsigned, these players represent pieces that realistically could be acquired for the right price.
No. 5: Peter Mueller
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Peter Mueller was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes eighth overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. After a great rookie campaign where Mueller scored 22 goals and 54 points, Mueller looked to be a great NHL for years to come.
The next season Mueller fell victim to the dreaded sophomore curse, scoring only 13 goals for 36 points on the year. Not the first and definitely not the last to follow a stellar rookie year with a sophomore slump, big things were still expected of young Mueller come last season.
After only 17 points in 54 games played last season, the Coyotes decided it was time for a change of scenery for the young forward. Mueller was traded to the upstart Colorado Avalanche, where he became red hot, scoring 20 points in 15 games until his season was ended due to a concussion.
The problem with Mueller is that the Avalanche are wondering which Mueller will show up to play for them. Will it be the Yotes rookie sensation, or the slumping sophomore?
Enter the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Brian Burke has the prospects and the picks to acquire Mueller, especially with the question marks that now surround him. Is he driven? Is he healthy?
While the Avalanche have proven hesitant, the Leafs would love to have a player like Mueller and have the cash to take the chance.
No. 4: Niclas Bergfors
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Drafted by the New Jersey Devils 23rd overall in the 2005 NHL entry draft, Niclas Bergfors has been earning his keep mostly in the minors.
After four years with the Devils' AHL affiliate, Bergfors managed to crack the roster this season. A player with good hockey sense and scoring instincts, Bergfors has plenty of offensive potential.
Bergfors finished the season with 21 goals and 44 points split between the Devils and the Atlanta Thrashers. With negotiations with the Thrashers continuing to amount to nothing, another change of scenery is possible.
Bergfors isn't a particularly physical player, which is why he is the fourth on the list of players the Leafs could acquire. What he does do is bring a gifted offensive presence to any team. Another 20 goal scorer is just what the Leafs could use right now. If the price is right, Burke could bring the sophomore Swede into the fold.
No. 3: Marc Staal
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Originally selected by the New York Rangers 12th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Marc Staal has become a hot commodity. Extremely mobile for a big defenceman, Staal posseses a great hockey mind and great shutdown ability. Factor in his potential for solid offensive contributions and Staal has the chance at being a franchise defenceman.
Unfortunately for Staal, Glen Sather doesn't necessarily feel the same way. According to recent reports, the Rangers are listening to offers for the young defenceman due to the large distance between the two parties in contract negotiations.
Staal allegedly wants around the $4 million a year mark, which would be paying only for his potential and not at his current skill level. Oddly enough, Sather who used to have a reputation for being cheap and schrewd when it came to contracts, now has shown to be one of the more careless GMs when it comes to dollars.
Ironically enough, for some reason Sather isn't willing to overpay to keep Staal. Which is a hard argument to make after signing Derrick Boogaard to $1.625 million a year for four years.
Shouldn't Staal make at least double whatever Boogaard makes? He did get almost seven times more points than Boogaard last year.
While the Leafs have a surplus of able defenceman, when a player of this ilk is available you must seize the opportunity. A defenceman would most likely be packaged in any deal in return for Staal anyway, thus maintaining a status quo when it comes to numbers on the blueline. Of course this assumes that Staal would be signed at a reasonable price, say around the $3 million mark?
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No. 2: James Neal
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Selected in the second round, 33rd overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, James Neal is coming off a break-out season for the Dallas Stars. After scoring 27 goals for 55 points, Neal was expected to be a big part of the Stars' future.
Due to ownership troubles and financial restraints placed on the team, James Neal remains unsigned, and potentially available for the right price.
Heading into the season the Stars boast a defensive corps of two legitimate top four defenceman and only three legitimate NHL defenceman. An upgrade on the blueline would be of significant help if the Stars want to have any success this season on the ice and in the search for an owner.
The Leafs have a few cheap options on defense that could provide the Stars a solidifying presence on the back end. The right package of prospects and picks could turn this into reality deal for Leafs Nation.
It also couldn't hurt that their GM, Joe Nieuwendyk, is former Special Assistant to Leafs' GM Brian Burke.
No. 1: Bobby Ryan
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Trying to play yourself out of Sidney Crosby's shadow isn't an easy thing to do. Selected second overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Bobby Ryan has carved a space for himself apart from "The Kid."
Being selected just after Sidney Crosby, knowing that your team didn't want you, could have put a damper on anyone's career. But not Bobby Ryan. Coming off back to back 30+ goal seasons, Ryan has proven that while he isn't at Crosby's level, he can sure hold his own when it comes to scoring and having his presence felt.
Ryan has all the necessary attributes to be the top power forward in the NHL. He has the size, speed, and scoring ability to be No. 1 and the potential to do so. Ryan believes in himself enough to forgo the stability of a long-term $5 million a year deal, for a shorter term.
For the Anaheim Ducks this represents a problem as they currently have two players clearly locked in at sub-market value who may not take kindly to Ryan getting special treatment. Allowing Ryan to go the opposite way of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry may prove to be a locker room disaster.
Enter the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ryan's alleged destination the entire offseason.
Ryan represents exactly the type of player for whom the Leafs are looking. Strong, skilled, and fast, Ryan would be one of the faces of the franchise and adored by millions.
Like Dallas, Anaheim lacks on the blueline, albeit to a lesser extent. A combination of picks, prospects, and current roster players would be needed to land Ryan. Burke would also have to be content either with a shorter term or larger payout than currently offered by the Anaheim Ducks.
If the Leafs could acquire Ryan, would they sign him to a multi-year deal around the $6 million a year mark for which Ryan would most likely be searching?
That answer rests with Burke and Burke alone.
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