The highs and lows of Canada Day free agency for Maple Leafs
All NHL teams have been tempted to take a big swing at UFAs on July 1 with a chance to add to their rosters. Sometimes it doesn't work.
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Make that a lower-case ‘f’ in what’s usually Free Agent Frenzy on Canada Day.
Given some of the biggest decisions were settled before noon on July 1, there’s not a lot of thunder expected from teams such as the Maple Leafs.
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But Toronto has never shied away from significant UFA moves in the past, some with the desired boost , others that were busts.
A look at how the Leafs have fared in early July through recent years:
HITS
2024 – G Anthony Stolarz.
From a back-up role in Florida to the NHL’s regular seasoin save percentage leader at .926.
2018 – C John Tavares
His almost point-a-game production in regular season, went a long way to mitigating the seven-year, $77 million price tag Leafs had to out-bid everyone and bring him home. Now they keep him at a discount.
2016 — F Matt Martin.
His job, as coach Mike Babcock described it, “keep the flies away” from young stars.
2009 – F Colton Orr
Added some needed muscle for a few years after Tie Domi retired.
2006 — D Hal Gill/D Pavel Kubina
Not blockbusters, but incoming GM John Ferguson went a long way to propping up the blueline.
1998 — RW Steve Thomas
Happy homecoming helped Leafs to the 1999 Cup semifinal.
1998– G Curtis Joseph
Sweet deal that began with chance meeting in an ice cream parlour with president Ken Dryden. Signed a second time in 2008.
MISSES
2021 – G Petr Mrazek
His three-year contract ended in a salary dump.
2021 – RW Nick Ritchie
Had a shot on he first line, much more was expected before Leafs demoted and eventually traded him.
2017 – C Patrick Marleau
Established player and great mentor for the young Leafs, but three years at $18.75 million came back to haunt their accountants,.
2013– F David Clarkson
GM Dave Nonis misjudged Clarkson’s impact, but not before awarding seven years at $36.75 million..
2009 – D Mike Komisarek
Tried too hard to make an immediate impact.
2008 – D Jeff Finger
A four-year, $14 million mistake for Cliff Fletcher in his second incarnation as GM.
2007 — LW Jason Blake
Was not the answer for Mats Sundin on the first line.
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