I know he played 4th lines minute but Boyle had 3 assists in 21 Leaf games. Hardly worth of 3 X 3. But Leafs fans seem to don't seem to want their UFAs to leave despite better value elsewhere. The much maligned Fehr had 6 goals and 11 points in 54 game as spare part but he is banished to the Marlies?

It's already been confirmed that Nylander will play the wing for at least one more season, per Babcock. As for the centre position, a contract of 3 years at $3 million AAV for Boyle is overpayment both on money and term. Look for the Leafs to sign someone like Vernon Fiddler or trade for Adam Lowry.

I agree with both of you that a $3mil cap hit is an overpayment, but Boyle fit nicely and the cap hit will really only be an issue in year 3 - when we have to start paying out Matthews, Marner etc.

Either way C-depth is being addressed this summer, either through trade or free agency. I don't object to overpaying a guy like Boyle. I like what he brings, and you'd imagine Babcock is speaking up for him. Honestly not even sure he wants to stay here. I could fully picture him happy to return to TB.

As for Fehr, after last year he's a long-shot to crack the line-up. I'd be happy to be wrong there.

Really there are two ways of looking at it. In one way our C-slot is in good shape with Kadri + Matthews locked in, but beyond that we have Bozak for 1 more year and nothing in the cupboard.

Look for a deal that will address our center position, whether that means taking on a contract like Jordan Staal to help acquire one of the Canes young D (and I like what Staal brings as our #2/3 centre), or Charlie Coyle as part of a deal to acquire one of the Wild's young D. Out in far left field, the Leafs could try and address their future #2/3 center issue by trading with Calgary that would bring over Mark Jankowski, but I don't see the Flames wanting to part with him unless it was for one of our premiere young players in return, which would not happen.

Agree with mja there is a need in C but mostly in the system as Leaf roster now has many. Babcock likes to send out 2 C per line matchup, if one gets kick out there is another one to take faceoff, he wants to win as many faceoffs so less need to run after the puck. With that said Bozak FOW% of 56.7 this season not only lead the team but is way up on NHL (better than Crosby for example, only comparing this statistic though) the rest are; Kadri 48%, Matthews 46.8%, Boyle 51%, Gauthier 51.1%, Komarov 45%, Nylander 40.2%, Marner 37.8% and Hyman 37.9%...Fehr only played 1 game and won 4 out of 4 100% small sample but thats what it is.
Bozak IMO is very underrated and has great value on the team, most probable than not will be extended at least 3 years and see if we can develop somebody in the meantime, Nylander already started to take more amount of faceoffs during playoffs on his strong side, but he kept playing wing.
Other option is to trade for Kruger like palhal suggested on some posts as Chicago needs faces loosing him to Vegas for nothing and they have Cap issues as well, Kruger had FOW% 49.1 and 2 year contract 3M cap hit.
Right now the open spot is 4th line C, Lou and Babcock would love to have Boyle back but as mja said I agree he probably will go elsewhere to play 3rd line min, the money offered to him will be similar everywhere. If he wants back 2year deal perfect, 3year IMO too much. Gauthier should have been battling for the job this camp but now will have to be the following year with the injury he suffered.
I would sign D.Moore which is great faceoff guy (FOW% 54.6 this season) for 4th line and PK on 1year deal (he is 36 so 35+ contract restrictions apply), and keep Fehr as depth for that spot and 4th line RW, Smith down to Marlies and probably will be Capt or Ass Capt on the team.

In long term more C prospects are needed, Marlies only have Gauthier as pure C and he is injured, IMO should sign Brooks as he is the only one prospect in depth pool we have to play C , but I have to say this kid not very big on the NHL he would be playing wing maybe taking faceoffs like Nylander now.

Probably because Fehr isn't really a good player anymore... He had that on the PENGUINS. The top scoring team in the league...



They better not sign an old fart like Fiddler. Jets fans would probably celebrate watching Lowry walk too!