Toronto Maple Leafs 2011 Free Agents: Who Will We Keep?

As the Toronto Maple Leafs get set to start off the 2010-2011 season, I present a look at the Maple Leafs that could be in their last hoorah in the blue & white.

Going into this season the only forwards that are under contract past this season are Phil Kessel, Kris Versteeg, Colby Armstrong, Mikhail Grabovski, Nikolai Kulemin, and Colton Orr. The only d-men are Dion Phaneuf, Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin, Jeff Finger, and Brett Lebda. Jonas Gustavsson is also under contract past this season.

In this list, I will write about both the unrestricted and restricted free agents the Leafs will have next summer, their chances of staying, and what they will have to do to either garner a raise or a new contract.

Without further a due, here's the list.

Tomas Kaberle

Claus Andersen/Getty Images

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 8: Tomas Kaberle #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates in the warm-up prior to a game against the San Jose Sharks on February 8, 2010 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The Sharks defeated the Leafs 3-2. (Photo by Claus

2010-2011 Cap Hit: $4,250,000

Free Agent Status: Unrestricted

The most talked about player on this list. Tomas Kaberle will once again be a serviceable d-man for the Maple Leafs this season. That being said, I believe there is a very good chance he could be moved at the trade deadline if a contract extension is not signed before then.

What will he have to do to be resigned?: Just be the same old Kaberle. Actually, I'd like him to do a little better.

Chances of being resigned: Good, if he's not traded.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 28: Jean-Sebastien Giguere #35 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes a break during action against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Mellon Arena on March 28, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Penguins defeated the Leafs 5-4 in a shootout

2010-2011 Cap Hit: $6,000,000

Free Agent Status: Unrestricted

Acquired to give Jonas Gustavsson more time to develop into the goaltender we all know he can be, Giguere has been nothing but great in mentoring Gustavsson and giving us a strong goaltending tandem that Toronto hasn't seen for a long time.

While Giguere will most likely be the starting goaltender for most of the season, he will not be resigned for what he is making this year. He is also another Leaf free agent that I could see being traded at the deadline if the Leafs are not in contention for the playoffs, but if they are in contention, he will be kept.

What will he have to do to be resigned?: Give us a chance to make the playoffs, and take a tremendous pay cut.

Chances of being resigned: Not good

Fredrik Sjostrom

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 05: Fredrik Sjostrom #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on February 5, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Leafs 4-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

2010-2011 Cap Hit: $750,000

Free Agent Status: Unrestricted

The unrestricted free agent that the Leafs are most likely to resign, Sjostrom has helped improve the Leafs league worst penalty kill. However, Sjostrom is now going to have to fight for minutes this year with the bottom six depth that Brian Burke has piled up this past off season. Sjostrom's job should be safe though based on his penalty killing skills.

What will he have to do to be resigned?: Help the Leafs not have the worst penalty killing in the league.

Chances of being resigned? Good

Tyler Bozak

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TORONTO, ON - MARCH 13: Tyler Bozak #42 of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets set for a faceoff in a game against the Edmonton Oilers on March 13, 2010 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The Leafs defeated the Oilers 6-4. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Ge

2010-2011 Cap Hit: $3,725,000

Free Agent Status: Restricted

It is not a question whether Bozak will be resigned, it's whether how much of a raise he will earn. Although, if Bozak suffers a huge sophomore slump he will probably be resigned for maybe a million a year. I don't see a slump happening if he plays with Kulemin and Kessel.

What will he have to do to earn a raise?: If he's the first line center, he is going to have to produce like a first line center.

Chances of being resigned: No question; he is an important part of the Leafs future.

Clarke MacArthur

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEWARK - JANUARY 8: Clarke MacArthur #41 of the Buffalo Sabres looks on during the NHL game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 8, 2008 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

2010-2011 Cap Hit: $1,100,000

Free Agent Status: Restricted

Only signing a one year contract, MacArthur must show that he score in this league. Since it's most likely he will be on the third line this year, he will have to do it while playing the role that Burke wants him to play. If he doesn't produce however, we can just let him go.

What will he have to do to be resigned?: Produce like a second liner on the third line to help with the secondary scoring the Leafs badly need.

Chances of being resigned: Hard to tell. If he produces well, he'll be resigned. If he falters, he won't.

Luca Caputi

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TORONTO, ON - MARCH 13: Luca Caputi #33 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff in a game against the Edmonton Oilers on March 13, 2010 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The Leafs defeated the Oilers 6-4. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty

2010-2011 Cap Hit: $833,000

Free Agent Status: Restricted

I don't believe Caputi will be suiting up for the Leafs on a regular basis, but I do believe he will be resigned. If he produces well for the Marlies and for the Leafs when called upon, he could earn a nice little raise.

What will he have to do to be resigned?: Be a top scorer for the Marlies and help the Leafs when needed

Chances of being resigned: Pretty good.

John Mitchell

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TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 8: John Mitchell #39 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates in the warm-up prior to a game against the San Jose Sharks on February 8, 2010 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The Sharks defeated the Leafs 3-2. (Photo by Claus

2010-2011 Cap Hit: $725,000

Free Agent Status: Restricted

John Mitchell has been one of the most under-acheiving Maple Leafs the couple of years. While some have said that he has the potential to be a reliable third-line center who could put up some points, Mitchell has failed to do so.

This year it will be even harder for Mitchell to start fulfilling his potential. If Nazem Kadri earns his way onto the Leafs as the second-line center, that means Mitchell will be competing with the likes of Mikhail Grabovski and Christian Hanson for the final two lines.

What will he have to do to be resigned?: First, earn his way onto the team. Second, start playing like the player the Leafs thought he could be when they drafted him.

Chances of being resigned: Unless he improves, not good.

Christian Hanson

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 07: Christian Hanson #20 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the New Jersey Devils on April 7, 2009 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Maple Leafs defeated the Devils 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

2010-2011 Cap Hit: $650,000

Free Agent Status: Restricted

Hanson is pretty much in the same boat as Mitchell. Both were signed to 1-year contracts during the summer, and both disappointed to some degree.

I believe only one of Hanson or Mitchell will be resigned.

What will he have to do to be resigned?: Same as Mitchell, minus the drafted part.

Chances of being resigned: Since Hanson is a Burke signing, I think Hanson has the advantage as of right now.

Mike Brown

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 10: Mike Brown #13 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wachovia Center on October 10, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

2010-2011 Cap Hit: $537,500

Free Agent Status: Restricted

Brian Burke brought Brown in for a reason: to take some of the pressure of protecting the playmakers off of Colton Orr. For that reason, I believe he will be resigned.

What will he have to do to be resigned?: Be the same Mike Brown that Burke has been telling us about since the draft.

Chances of being resigned: Pretty good.

Luke Schenn

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

MONTREAL- JANUARY 8: Luke Schenn #2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff during the game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on January 08, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Maple Leafs 6-2. (Photo by

2010-2011 Cap Hit: $2,975,000

Free Agent Status: Restricted

In the last year of his entry-level contract, if Schenn can bounce back from that minor sophomore slump he had last year, he could be in line for a substantial raise. Although, I'm sure Burke will try to sign him for as low as possible because of all the key pieces that are restricted free agents.

What will he have to do get a raise?: Put up more points than he has the past two years, otherwise, be the same old Schenn.

Chances of being resigned: Same as Bozak, no question at all.

Carl Gunnarsson

Claus Andersen/Getty Images

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 14: Carl Gunnarsson #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff in a game against the Calgary Flames on November 14,2009 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The Flames won 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images

2010-2011 Cap Hit: $800,000

Free Agent Status: Restricted

Arguably the most reliable defensemen the Leafs had last year, hopefully Gunnar can continue where he left off last year.

What will he have to do to get a raise?:All Gunnarsson has to do is not have a huge sophomore slump and he should garner a raise to around $1-1.25 million per year.

Chances of being resigned: Again, not a question.

Matt Lashoff

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 15: Matt Lashoff #49 of the Boston Bruins skates against the New York Islanders on January 15, 2009 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The Bruins defeated the Islanders 2-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

2010-2011 Cap Hit: $550,000

Free Agent Status: Restricted

Whether he makes the Leafs this year or not, Lashoff has loads of potential and should be a cornerstone on the Leafs defense once Jeff Finger's contract runs out.

What will he have to do to be resigned?: If he makes the Leafs and has good season, he will be resigned and get a nice raise. If not, he just needs to have a good season with the Marlies.

Chances of being resigned: Almost a lock.

Conclusion

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

MONTREAL- APRIL 10: Dion Phaneuf #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens on April 10, 2010 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 4-3 in overtim

Well, there you have it, in my view most of our free agents will stay Leafs past this season.

I expect Bozak, Schenn, and Gunnarsson to be resigned during the season to escape any problems with offer sheets in the off-season.

I like the contracts expiring after 2011-12. They are Jeff Finger, Mikhail Grabovski, Francois Beauchemin, Brett Lebda, and Jonas Gustavsson as unrestricted free agents and only Kris Versteeg and Nikolai Kulemin as restricted. While Gustavsson will most likely be resigned, Finger and Grabovski's cap hits coming off the books will help the Leafs resign Versteeg, Kulemin and maybe a free agent off the market. Beauchemin could also be traded.

Well, so much for my first slideshow.