The management of the Toronto Maple Leafs is not ready to head for cottage country after a flurry of additions in the first week of free agency.
Since the NHL Draft in Philadelphia one week ago, Toronto traded for defensemen Roman Polak and signed veteran blueliner Stephane Robidas, brought back wingers Matt Frattin and Leo Komarov, re-signed winger Troy Bodie, added free agent forwards Petri Kontiola and Mike Santorelli.
These moves should give the Leafs more depth that will enable head coach Randy Carlyle to spread out the ice time more evenly and not have to overuse his core players, which was one of the contributing factors to the club’s March collapse and failure to miss the playoffs.
The Leafs are still in the process of a search for coaches to make up Carlyle’s staff, are looking to add a backup goaltender with James Reimer requesting a trade and possibly another forward before turning their focus towards re-signing their own restricted free agents.
The talk of signing future Hall-of-Famer Martin Brodeur has dissipated in recent days and according to Hockeybuzz’s Josh Rimer, the club may be interested in bringing in free agent goaltender Nikolai Khabibulan to backup Jonathan Bernier.
The 41-year-old “Bulin Wall’ appears to be crumbling in his later years, with recurrent groin problems over the last four seasons, including a season-ending groin tear last November as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.
The list of quality free agent forwards decreased by one with the Ottawa Senators signing of center David Legwand on Friday, but there are forwards on the market that could be an upgrade for the Leafs that they may be interested in adding.
Veteran forward Steve Ott is believed to be on the Leafs radar. As well as being an effective bottom six forward and good on faceoffs, Ott is a professional disturber of the highest order. The signings of Kontiola and Santorelli would appear to rule the addition of Ott out, but both forwards can play up the middle and on the wing.
Another intriguing possibility is defenseman Michael Del Zotto, who was traded to the Nashville Predators from the New York Rangers last January and not extended a qualifying offer by the Preds prior to free agency.
The 24-year-old Stouffville, ON native was rumored to have drawn interest from the Leafs when being shopped by the Rangers last fall and could be someone that Nonis adds if his salary demand is reasonable and if he intends to trade restricted free agent Cody Franson.
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