What are the leafs to do?
There is two days left until the free agents are allowed to escape their current nest’s and find a new burrow. Some teams such as montreal have been dumping salaries and will have a lot of play come sunday. Other teams such as vancouver are right up against the wall and have virtually no playing room. The leafs are a team inbetween.
Depending on whether the cap is at 48 or 50 could change a lot of things for the leafs. If the cap is at 48 then they will have to go after a second tier UFA because they will only have 3-5 million to play with. Here is a list of players they should consider.
Vyacheslav Kozlov: Kozlov is comming of a very good year and could add just that scoring we need. The down side being he just had his 35th birthday and this is his best season yet. Also how good would he be without Kovalchuck and Hossa?
Fredrik Modin: Could pitch in 20 goals for a cheap price. down side is he is also in his mid thirties.
Eric Lindros: I know what your thinking people. The big E isnt comming back to toronto atleast i hope not. But think about it he could come at a VERY cheap price and if he stays healthy could be a 30 goal scorer.
Todd Bertuzzi: Would be a fan favourite in Toronto and could come at a cheap price and maybe he will fall back into his stride. Down side is he is very injurery prone and has a bad attitude.
Mikko Koivu: Yes he is a RFA but maybe convince him to come here and play against his brother often. He is young and has potential to pot 80 points. I see no downside.
Jason Blake: Nearly a top tier. We would have to pay around 4-5 million for him and we would not want it long term because he is older too. But he is much like darcy tucker. A quick goal scoring winging with an edge.
Michael Nylander: Did you see him in the playoffs? He would have got the most play off points had he went to round 4. Playing only 10 games he had 13 points. He would Command around 3.5-4.5 million. But how would he be without Jagr?
Well there is a list of second tier UFA’s the leafs should consider.
If they can clear some salary or if the cap is at 50 million the they should go after these players.
Ryan Smyth: Does not score many pretty goals but scores many much like Tucker. Although Smyth does have some injuries.
I would not go after Drury or briere because of there price tag. Drury only got 69 points and people are talking 8 million. Sundin got over 70 and people think he is overpayed at 5.5 million.
Paul Kariya: Would look very nice to sundins left. He is very quick and has a lot of tricks in his bag. Sundin would be his finisher. Who would go on the right wing would be hard though. Darcy Tucker? Kyle Wellwood? Mark Bell maybe.
If your have the cap space those are the only two i would consider. Scott Gomez is over rated he is not even close to a point per game nor is he an improving player.
Let me know what you think the leafs should do.