Fixing the Depth and Adding Character

Team: 2021-22 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 1, 2021

Published: Jun. 4, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

So apparently Hyman turned down a 5M deal, maybe its an issue of term but I'm going to assume he looks elsewhere in this scenario. People by nature are going to blame Matthews and Marner for these playoffs, but even though they were widely considered invisible out there they still tied for 3rd and 5th in team production. To me this means there was a sever lack of depth on the team, or coaching issues. For the sake of simplicity I'm going to do an overhaul on the teams depth

UFA's I think should/will stay:
Spezza - excellent playoffs, great leader and depth player
Bogosain - solid depth guy, worth bringing back imo, provides some needed defensive physicality outside of Muzzin

UFA's I think should/will go:
Andersen - pretty much replaced entirely
Nash - invisible
Simmonds - never lived up to what he was brought in for
Thornton - either retires or signs a 1 year deal with SJ or a true contender like Colorado/Tampa
Galchenyuk - put up some points but so often just didn't look like a fit
Hutton - probably tests free agency
Rittich - probably wants to test free agency


UFA's I am indifferent on:
Hyman - because of the rumour, otherwise he stays
Foligno - injuries plagued him, hard to make a judgement call here
Marincin - plug

Wow that is a lot of UFA's

Shanahan recently said the team lacked "Killer Instinct." Don't confuse that with hard hitting and fighting, it is the drive to win when the games matter.

My UFA signings:
Saad - this guy is just built for the playoffs, just brings that heavy forechecking gritty game and offensive prowess
Cizikas - Leafs fan's go and watch the Islanders series (yes I know Boston is annoying to watch), this guy is a very good defensive center. My 3rd line would be an excellent shutdown line
McGinn - bit of what I said about both Saad and Cizikas, steps up his game in the playoffs, strong defensively, IMO would pair well with Cizikas and Mikheyev
Bernier - cheap 1B goalie, Campbell should be the starter but I don't think you can just bring in a plug to backup, need a 1B that can play 30-35 games
Spezza - refer to above
Bogosian - refer to above
PTO Enforcer - Brett Ritchie like guy, someone who can just go out there every once and a while and protect your stars in heated match ups