Depth Over Stars: Maple Leafs Should Target Several Underrated UFAs

This summers free agent crop lacks marquee names beyond Mitch Marner, Aaron Ekblad, Sam Bennett , Brad Marchand, and Nikolaj Ehlers.

Still, as Jonas Siegel of The Athletic points out, it doesnt mean there arent some sneaky good fits for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It seems like Marner is moving on, leaving the Leafs with two choices: try to make a splash, or go with the sizzle, but more steak.

GM Brad Treliving would be wise to focus not on splashy moves, prioritizing value-depth players who fit the hard-nosed new DNA mold he talked about at the end of the season.

Who Should the Maple Leafs Target? Siegel highlights a range of underrated UFAs who could make sense for a Leafs team that is likely playoff-bound but needs that extra push to get over the hump.

Among them are Anthony Beauvillier , Brent Burns, Tanner Jeannot, Andrew Mangiapane, and veteran scorer Jeff Skinner.

Beauvillier is a chippy, puck-hounding winger capable of filling a top-nine role.

Hes heavy on the forecheck and adds a bit of scoring touch.

Siegel points out that he could be a solid plug-and-play option for Craig Berubes system.

Siegel writes: The Leafs didnt have enough forwards who could move up and down the lineup last season.

Beauvillier would give head coach Craig Berube some of that much-needed versatility.

Burns is a 40-year-old defenceman who, despite his age, still logged over 23 minutes a night in the playoffs for Carolina.

Hes not a guy the Leafs would count on to be in the top pair, but as a depth option and power play weapon, he adds a veteran presence and leadership the Leafs might need.

He could slot in on the third pair, and his shot-first mentality is right up Berubes alley.

Jeannot could be picked up on the cheap because his stock has fallen.

Hes got size at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, and with skilled linemates, there is a chance he finds some of his old form.

The Lightning traded five draft picks to get him, so he was clearly someone a very smart team believed in.

Siegel suggests hell want $3 million per season on a longer-term deal.

One has to wonder if hes shooting too high.

Treliving knows Mangiapane well and might have a thought that this is another gritty winger who could bounce back offensively in a more offensive role.

Drafted by Calgary, would the Leafs feel hes worth the gamble? Skinner has proven hes still got game, but the Oilers were not a great fit.

He signed there to make the playoffs for the first time in his career, which he did.

However, he didnt play much, finally getting a look in the Final as the Oilers depth scoring has somewhat disappeared.

Skinner likely wont be back, but hell be looking for another opportunity to win, potentially taking a lower salary for a guarantee of more playing time.

Do Any Of Siegels Picks Make Sense for Toronto? Not everyone from Siegels list is an ideal fit.

Skinner isnt gritty, so he might not be a good fit for what Treliving and Berube want.

Jeannot is a risk if hes looking for a long-term commitment.

Burns is older (on an already old team), so it depends on term.

All that said, there are some solid candidates here.

Toronto doesnt need to win July with a flashy signing.

It needs to build a deeper, more formidable, and more versatile roster.

The real value in this years free-agent market might not be in the big names, but in smart, system-fitting role players.

It could be hard for Toronto not to be reactive in free agency, assuming Marner departs for a bigger payday and a fresh start.

Treliving will have money to spend, and the temptation to go big will be there.

However, if Toronto wants to build a team capable of playoff success, the kind of value deals Siegel describes might be the best bet.

This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission..

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