Let the free-agent merry-go-round begin.
The Maple Leafs have 10 players entering restricted or unrestricted free agency, with the market set to open July 13. With that many on the slate, there will be some difficult decisions to make. Here’s a closer look:
RFA’s
Rasmus Sandin, D.
Salary $894,167 (US)
Recorded career highs in ice time (16:58 per game), games (51) and points (16), and coach Sheldon Keefe had him quarterbacking the second power-play unit at times. A March 19 knee injury, however, ended his season.
Will he be back? There has been trade talk, but he’s earned another full-time shot with the Leafs.
Timothy Liljegren, D.
Salary $863,333
Quietly emerged as a solid third-pair option after Sandin’s injury. He finished with career highs in games (61) and points (23) and a solid plus-15, but was also a healthy scratch after Game 2 against the Lightning, with Keefe saying his lack of experience showed.
Will he be back? Same as Sandin. He’s earned the chance.
Ondrej Kaše, F
Salary $1.25 million
Gave the Leafs a boost up and down the lineup, and on special teams, at a bargain price. Has a history of head injuries, including this season, but returned for the playoffs.
Will he be back? If the price is right.
Pierre Engvall, F.
Salary $1.25 million
Emerged as a bona fide third-liner and became indispensable to Keefe, who used him on a shutdown unit with David Kämpf and Ilya Mikheyev or Kaše. He blew past all his previous career highs with 78 games, 15 goals and 20 assists.
Will he be back? He came up through the Marlies system and should be an affordable keeper.
UFA’s
Jack Campbell, G.
Salary $1.65 million
Posted career highs with 47 starts and 31 wins in his first full year as an NHL No. 1. Made the all-star game and was solid for the most part in the playoffs.
Will he be back? It’s a priority for the Leafs. Comparables suggest he could get a four- or five-year deal averaging $5 million a season, but the popular netminder might need to take a discount to fit under the salary cap.
Ilya Mikheyev, F.
Salary $1,645 million
Speedy winger produced career highs with 21 goals and 11 assists in 51 games, despite missing time with a hand injury. He emerged as a reliable forward and one of the league’s most dangerous penalty killers.
Will he be back? He’s due for a healthy raise, but the Leafs won’t likely have the cap room if they re-sign Campbell and a few other priorities on this list. Expect him to test the market.
Jason Spezza, C.
Salary $750,000
Another solid season on the fourth line and second power-play unit at age 38. His speech between periods keyed the Leafs’ win over the Lightning in Game 5.
Will he be back? They could afford him (he actually said he’d take less than the league minimum if it was allowed) but the Leafs have younger options just as cheap, and it may be time to make room for top prospect Nick Robertson.
Colin Blackwell, F.
Salary $725,000
Acquired from Seattle along with Mark Giordano at the trade deadline. Keefe used him in all seven playoff games and often praised his compete level.
Will he be back? He’s liked by the coaching staff, and cheap. Pencil him in as a fourth-liner.
Mark Giordano, D.
Salary $3.375 million
After arriving from the Kraken, the 38-year-old was the blue-line presence the Leafs have needed for several seasons. He had a huge influence on Liljegren in particular.
Will he be back? The price will likely be too high.
Ilya Lyubushkin, D.
Salary $1.35 million
A physical force after a trade with Arizona. Fourth on the team in hits with 93 in just 31 games.
Will he be back? The Boosh is a shoo-in.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be a registered Torstar account holder. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free)