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The ability to attract players has been difficult task for the Toronto Maple Leafs. During the Pat Quinn era, the addition of free agents Curtis Joseph and Gary Roberts helped Toronto reach two Conference Finals.
The post-lockout Leafs have not exactly been a target destination for star free agents with a fan base looking for a savior to get them into the playoffs and the 24/7/365 attention of the Toronto media.
The Leafs struck out in attempts to sign Brad Richards and Steven Stamkos and when they did succeed in their pursuit, they vastly overpaid Mimico native David Clarkson.
Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said on Monday that his club’s promising future and young core group will be a magnet and convince players to come to Toronto.
“I’m hoping (the Leafs success is) going to lead to players wanting to come here one day. If you have a good enough team and you have players from this area, why wouldn’t you play close to home if it’s a great environment.” Babcock said. “Toronto is a great place, a great city. We’re going to have a real good team here (and it’s a) great place to play.”
While the aspect of a GTA kid coming home (like Stamkos or John Tavares) will never go away, the “if you build it, he will come” scenario will be put to the test this summer and over the next few years.
Reports regarding Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk have indicated that the pending free agent would be willing to come to the Leafs either via trade before March 1 or over the summer.
Whether Shattenkirk is using Toronto to pump up the free agent frenzy this July or genuine interest is unknown, but the prospect of playing with Auston Matthews and under Babcock may bear fruit with others in the near future.
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The Leafs will not make any lineup changes for their game against Calgary on Monday night. Frederik Andersen will make his fourth straight start for Toronto and Brian Elliott will be between the pipes for Calgary.
Morgan Rielly skated prior to practice on Monday, as did injured forward Ben Smith, but Babcock was non-committal of whether either will return to the lineup before the All-Star break later this week,
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Listen to the Blue N’White Tonight podcast. TSN's Craig Button drops by for a full hour and gives his views on "The Shanaplan" and takes a detailed look at players in the Leafs system.
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