NHL Free Agency 2011: Which Toronto Maple Leafs Will Re-Sign, and for How Much?
According to capgeek.com, the Toronto Maple Leafs have $21.2 million in cap space to spend in the offseason. While that seems like a lot, the Leafs have 12 free agents to either re-sign or let walk away.
Even re-signing half of those players will cut down the available cap space a couple million. If Brian Burke wants to sign Brad Richards and a few other free agents, he is definitely going to need a lot of cash.
Out of the 12 free agents the Leafs have, six are restricted and six are unrestricted. Two of the unrestricted free agents will not be coming back for sure. The rest of them are cheaper backup options, some of whom might end up playing for the Marlies next season.
As for the restricted free agents, pretty much all of them are integral parts to the Leafs future and will most likely be resigned to long-term contracts.
Who's leaving and who's staying?
Jean Sebastien Giguere, Goaltender
1 of 13
2010-11 Cap Hit: $6 million
Contract Status: Unrestricted
J.S. Giguere, while still a good goaltender, had injury problems last year, and his cap hit didn't help that much. The Leafs have almost too many goaltenders in the system right now, and that's just another reason for him to be politely shown the door.
Gone or New Contract: Gone
Fredrik Sjostrom, Left Wing
2 of 13
2010-11 Cap Hit: $750,000
Contract Status: Unrestricted
Freddy Sjostrom has largely disappointed in his one-and-a-half seasons in Toronto. In 66 games, he compiled two goals and three assists for five points.
I know Sjostrom is not supposed to light the lamp like Phil Kessel, but five points in 66 games? That is downright wrong. He will be let go.
Gone or New Contract: Gone
Tim Brent, Center
3 of 13
2010-11 Cap Hit: $575,000
Contract Status: Unrestricted
Tim Brent was a pleasant surprise last season. In 79 games, Brent had eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points. He was also a stalwart on the penalty kill.
While his role on the team won't improve at all, Brent could be kept around to be the fourth-line center.
Gone or New Contract: New Contract; $750,000 a year for three years
.png?w=256 "NHL Mock Draft")
.jpg?w=256 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
.png?w=256)
Darryl Boyce, Left Wing
4 of 13
2010-11 Cap Hit: $527,500
Contract Status: Unrestricted
He'll always be remembered for getting his nose cut on the photographer's hole in the boards and the resulting Twitter photos.
In 46 games, he scored five goals and eight assists for 13 points. He works hard every shift and deserves a new contract for it, even though he'll spend the majority of it with the Marlies.
Gone or New Contract: New Contract; $550,000 a year for two years
Joey Crabb, Right Wing
5 of 13
2010-11 Cap Hit: $525,000
Contract Status: Unrestricted
While he enjoyed some early success playing on a line with Phil Kessel, Crabb's stats fell in the second half of the season. With many new young prospects possibly ready to take the next step, or at least come up in fill-in duty, there is no reason to re-sign Crabb.
Gone or New Contract: Gone
Jay Rosehill, Left Wing
6 of 13
2010-11 Cap Hit: $512,500
Contract Status: Unrestricted.
Rosehill is in the same situation as Crabb. Rosehill was a great agitator and he stood up for his teammates, but his spot in the lineup could easily be taken by a player like Matt Frattin.
Gone or New Contract: Gone
Tyler Bozak, Center
7 of 13
2010-11 Cap Hit: $3,725,000 (with bonuses)
Contract Status: Restricted
Arguably the Leafs' worst defensive player last season, Bozak did nothing to earn a raise for next season. The Leafs will re-sign him, but there is a small chance that he could be traded in the offseason.
He has to drastically improve his play from last season because he has Nazem Kadri & Joe Colborne nipping at his heels, and they'll have no problems taking his spot.
New Contract: $1,250,000 a year for two years
Carl Gunnarson, Defenseman
8 of 13
2010-11 Cap Hit: $800,000
Contract Status: Restricted
Gunnarson has been a reliable defenseman for his entire young career with the Leafs. Playing with Luke Schenn after Tomas Kaberle's departure, he formed another young defense pair behind Dion Phaneuf and Keith Aulie that could be around for quite a while.
If the Leafs don't acquire a play-making defenseman in free agency or trade, he will be relied upon to jump start the Leafs offense next season.
New Contract: $1,250,000 a year for four years
Matt Lashoff, Defenseman
9 of 13
2010-11 Cap Hit: $550,000
Contract Status: Restricted
Acquired from Tampa Bay last offseason, Lashoff didn't see time with the Leafs until the last quarter of the season. In 11 games, he had one assist and was a plus- six. He'll be retained but is another player who might not see much time with the Leafs next season.
New Contract: $750,000 a year for three years
Luke Schenn
10 of 13
2010-11 Cap Hit: $2,975,000 (with bonuses)
Contract Status: Restricted
Schenn's season was the very definition of a bounce-back season. After a dismal sophomore season, Schenn showed more leadership, better positioning and led the league's defensemen in hits.
Being a building block of the Leafs young defense, he will be re-signed long term.
New Contract: $3,250,000 a year for five years
James Reimer, Goaltender
11 of 13
2010-11 Cap Hit: $596,667(with bonuses)
Contract Status: Restricted
What can I say about James Reimer? Well, ever since his first start for the Maple Leafs on Jan. 1st, he has taken the reins and has shown that he has what it takes to be a starter in the NHL.
I know I'm going to get a few comments saying he's not, but the fact is that he played in 37 games, only four games short of half a season. He was fourth in wins for rookie goalies, only behind Corey Crawford, Sergei Bobrovsky and Michal Neuvirth. He should get a hefty raise.
New Contract: $1,150,000 a year for four years
Clarke MacArthur, Left Wing
12 of 13
2010-11 Cap Hit: $1,100,000
Contract Status: Restricted
MacArthur is the most talked about free agent-to-be, and for good reason. Last season he set career highs in goals and points, yet he had never achieved anything like this previously. That's why Brian Burke has been apprehensive about how much MacArthur could make next season.
I think the situation is quite simple. The Leafs were in a similar situation last offseason with Nikolai Kulemin. Since I think that Kulemin and MacArthur are comparable players, they should be making similar money.
New Contract: $2,250,000 a year for three years
Conclusion
13 of 13
With the players the Leafs re-sign on this list, the Leafs will have spent $11.2 million. That leaves $10 million to spend on free agents.
That gives us the choice to either sign only Brad Richards or two lesser free agents, maybe Brooks Laich and Christian Ehrhoff. Although, don't be surprised to see Burke pull off a deal at the draft that frees up more salary.
We could also send players like Boyce, Lashoff and Brett Lebda down to the Marlies to free up a small amount of money.
I know it sounds crazy, but Mike Komisarek could be the guy to move, possibly to the Colorado Avalanche. They need a tough, defensive defenseman, and they have the money to afford him. That also could be a part of a deal that would send us Paul Stastny.
Who knows what will happen? We'll find out
.png?w=480 "NHL Mock Draft")
.jpg?w=480 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
.png?w=480)
.png?w=600 "B/R NHL Staff Second-Round Predictions 🏒")
