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Leafs Check Two Off The Free Agent List

June 14, 2013, 3:08 PM ET [201 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Maple Leafs knocked two names off their list of 22 free agents on Thursday, with the signings of enforcer Colton Orr and minor league goaltender Drew MacIntyre.

The 31 year old Orr was slated to be an unrestricted free agent with the expiration of his four year deal, but became a fixture as a role player and a leader in the dressing room under Randy Carlyle, leading the club with 155 penalty minutes and 13 fighting majors. The physical aspect of his game was considered valuable enough to overlook rather paltry offensive numbers(1 G, 3 A in 44 games).

The Winnipeg, MB native signed a two year, $1.85 Million deal, which will pay him slightly below the $1 Million salary he earned in 2013.

Also signing on the dotted line was journeyman goalie Drew MacIntyre, who signed a tryout contract with the Toronto Marlies last February after spending time in the KHL and ECHL last season and posted a 13-5-3 record, with a 1.83 GAA and .931 save % in 21 games for the Leafs AHL affiliate.

The 29 year old agreed to a one year, two way deal that will pay $600,000 in the NHL and $250,000 at the AHL level. The Leafs have both James Reimer and Ben Scrivens under contract for another season with the Leafs, but the organization may be going through a transition between the pipes and signing a stable veteran like MacIntyre was a wise move.

2011 draft choice Garret Sparks completed his junior career with the OHL’s Guelph Storm last season and signed a three year entry level deal in April, but will likely start his pro career in the ECHL.

Both Jussi Rynnas and Mark Owuya are restricted free agents and while Rynnas is expected to return to North America next season, Kyle Cicerella of Canadian Press reports that Owuya has an offer from a club in Sweden, but could be persuaded to stay in North America by a team that can give him an opportunity to play and prove himself.

Other free agents include Clarke MacArthur, Tyler Bozak, Ryan Hamilton, Ryan O’Byrne, Mike Kostka, Tim Connolly and Mike Mottau(unrestricted) and Nazem Kadri, Joe Colborne, Frazer McLaren, Mark Fraser, Carl Gunnarsson, Cody Franson, Spencer Abbott, Tyler Brenner, Simon Gysbers and Kevin Marshall(restricted).

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