Seems rather impractical to me that so many of those UFAs would sign for so little, especially if you have put in position of playing big minutes.

Most of them are signed on one year "show me" contracts. If they put up points they can sign for big dollars and term on new teams next year.

The Leafs don't have the money to lure free agents, but they can provide opportunity. There are two holes in the top six. A lot of players would sign for less to play in those important roles.

That's seems like false optimism why players would sign for so little.