Maple Leafs Missing Out on Superstar

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked to star free agent forward Patrick Kane since free agency opened on July 1st. One of the biggest draws for Toronto to be linked to Kane is the friendship he’s built with Maple Leafs captain and fellow American, Auston Matthews.

However, those Kane-to-Toronto rumors appear to be nothing more than that: rumors. According to Chris Chelios, Kane is deciding between his former team, the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Buffalo Sabres. Both locations make a ton of sense.

Kane could return to Chicago and retire with the team he helped win multiple Stanley Cups, or end his career in his hometown of Buffalo. Now, it’s no secret that Toronto is close to Buffalo, but maybe Kane just doesn’t want to play in Canada.

Maple Leafs Next Choice

With Patrick Kane no longer being an option, who should the Maple Leafs target to add to their top six? Eeli Tolvanen remains the primary right-wing option in free agency.

Eeli Tolvanen’s name isn’t as flashy as Kane’s, but he is still a decent option for Toronto to think about. He registered 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points in 78 games with the Seattle Kraken last season. Now, that is a huge drop from the 57 points that Kane registered last season for the Red Wings. However, Kane is 37 years old, while Tolvanen is 27 years old.

The Maple Leafs could offer Tolvanen a deal with more term and keep the salary cap hit relatively low. Given the right linemates, he could be a 40–50-point player. Toronto’s top six currently has Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, Matthew Knies, and likely Gavin McKenna. There is the possibility of using Easton Cowan in the top six, but I think general manager John Chayka would prefer not to.

Expensive Option or a Reunion

There are two more options the Maple Leafs could try. One will come with a higher cost in salary cap; the other a reunion. Vladimir Tarasenko is still looking for a new team. He’s been linked to a few teams, including the Edmonton Oilers, but he still has no deal.

Tarasenko registered 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points in 75 games with the Minnesota Wild last season. He is seeking a contract with an AAV of $4.5 million or higher. Signing him would likely mean that Toronto parts ways with Dakota Joshua and Steven Lorentz.

Another option, which would not cost as much as Tarasenko, is a reunion with Michael Bunting. Bunting registered 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points in 74 games last season with the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars. His most productive years were the two seasons he played in Toronto.

Bunting registered 46 goals and 66 assists for 112 points in 161 games over two seasons with the Maple Leafs. He spent most of that time playing on a line with Matthews. Now, I know his antics caused him to receive penalties too often the last time he was in Toronto. However, a more mature Michael Bunting could be just what the Maple Leafs need.