#toronto-maple-leafs

#toronto-maple-leafs

The Maple Leafs have four pending free agents, while Matias Maccelli and Nick Robertson are becoming restricted free agents. One player that the Maple Leafs could target is Darren Raddysh. NHL insider Nick Kypreos stated in the Toronto Star, "If there is a team that needs him more than Toronto, please let me know. He's a right-handed shot with a bomb and would be a perfect upgrade for an ongoing issue on their power-play."

Tavares was granted exceptional status into the Ontario Hockey League as an underage forward, after a prodigious minor hockey career with the Toronto Marlboros. He was the best player in Ontario, playing 18 months up and was selected first overall by the Oshawa Generals in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection. Tavares spent parts of four seasons with the Generals, before being traded to the London Knights in his final OHL campaign during the 2008-09 season.

As mentioned, there were expectations for him to be a top blueliner on the Leafs, along with former young prospect Rasmus Sandin, who was also envisioned as a top blueliner for the team. Niemela was mainly praised for the way he moves the puck as a defenceman. He also showed great vision and was able to make a pass whenever it was possible. He was also seen as someone who wasn't afraid to take a shot on goal and walk into the slot.

It's selling season (or window shopping season during the Olympic break) and the Leafs need to recoup futures, clear some contracts, and create roster spaces for next season while deciding whether or not to go all-in on a tanking attempt, which could blow up in their faces and reward the Bruins, or make a last ditch push for a wild card spot with fewer resources. Additionally, the Leafs have three salary retention spots at their disposal, they should use them all.

There's been growing speculation that the Leafs are going to be both buying and selling ahead of this season's deadline, and Jarnkrok, a pending unrestricted free agent, is turning into a prime trade candidate. The 34-year-old Jarnkrok is owed $2.1 million this season and owns a 10-team no-trade clause in the final year of his contract. He's been in and out of the lineup so far this season, producing just six goals and one assist for seven points in 37 appearances.

It is therefore in their best interest to recalibrate the makeup of their roster and set themselves up for future success as soon as next year through a retool at the deadline. They could restock the cupboard with draft picks and prospects to use to make bigger upgrades or look to find disgruntled young players who need a fresh start somewhere else.

Jim Morrison, who was the Toronto Maple Leafs ' second-oldest living alumnus, has passed away at the age of 94, the team announced on Tuesday morning. Morrison, a defenceman who hailed from Montreal, Quebec, spent six-and-a-half years as a Maple Leaf between 1952 and 1958, tallying 23 goals and 88 assists in that time, and finished his career with 47 goals and 191 assists in 704 games.