Dan Ellis, Ryan Smyth, Shane Doan, Brandon Prust.
These are the players I believe the Leafs should go after. Maybe not all of them. And defenitley dont sign them longer for 2 years. But I believe the all show great leadersip something the Leafs need.
I think Dan ellis or another vet goalie is needed.
If we can pick up someone out of: Moen, Gaustad, Prust, Tootoo for a reasonable price, we should sign them. Carlyle Gives his #3C tons of ice time, so we need a good one, none of this steckel crap.
Dan Ellis, Ryan Smyth, Shane Doan, Brandon Prust.
These are the players I believe the Leafs should go after. Maybe not all of them. And defenitley dont sign them longer for 2 years. But I believe the all show great leadersip something the Leafs need.
As much as I'd like Doan or Smyth, I think there is zero chance either sign with Toronto. It's like saying we should sign Brouder - not happening.
I think Parise and Suter would be obvious desires, but I doubt either have Toronto high on their list.
Guys I could see targeted are Gaustad, Penner, Moen, Prust, etc. Bottom 6 guys, other than maybe Penner who could potentially be a top six guy. I think Parros is ufa too?
I highly doubt it, but Joikinen had a solid season in CGY, he's a guy I'd consider if nothing seems available on the trade front.
Edit: Tootoo, Mueller are two other targets for me.
Other than possibly Schultz, I'm most looking forward to other teams scrambling to add players. We have to trim some fat, and once the slim UFA crop gets taken they'll turn to trade options.
How amazing would our bottom six be if we signed Prust, Winnik, Moen and Gaustad? Good mix of tenacity, speed, and defensive responsibility, something the Leafs have been lacking for a long time.
Not a big fan of Dan Ellis. He's a good backup, but too inconsistent to be relied on to play 30/40+ games. Scott Clemmensen is our best option if we don't go after a starter IMO.
Winnik would be good for the bottom six, but I've heard rumours that he could be looking for upwards of $2.5M/year which is $500,000 more interest than I'd have.
IMO our #1 priority should be taking a huge run at Parise.
So outside of the obvious 3 players I think Burke needs to target Penner and Doan. Penner because he gives us size and can play a top 6 role, it also helps that Penner was on the cup team in ANA and it seems that Burke is trying hard to recreate that team. Doan becuase he is a leader, we have a lot of young guys on the team and learning from a guy like Doan will help them out a lot.
TBH though I do not see the Leafs signing anyone at this time, we have roster spots filled and a lot of wasted cap space(Komi,Connolly etc) pieces need to be moved out before the Leafs do anything. Maybe Burke sends the wasted cap to the minors like Finger.
He has size and truculence. Also will play in front of hometown crowd.. Add London's Brandon Prust and Kingstons Jay McClement, the leafs will have upgraded the PK, truculence, faceoffs, checking and grit on the 3rd and 4th lines. Plus local Ontario boys will increase grit component.
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