UPDATE - 5pm
The Leafs have re-signed defenseman Roman Polak to a one-year deal.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs expectedly did not dive head first into the free agent pool in the aftermath of Steven Stamkos choosing to remain with Tampa Bay. The club avoided big money targets on July 1 and signed only tough winger Matt Martin to a four-year, $10 Million contract on the opening day of free agency.
“We really weren’t in the market so to speak to do much, but you talk just to make sure you are aware of what’s going on and if there is something unique that comes about that can help you, you have to be available to do that.” GM Lou Lamoriello said on Friday. “We had interest in Steven Stamkos, (but) it did not work out.”
The 27-year-old Martin joins the Leafs after seven seasons with the New York Islanders. The Windsor, ON native has led the NHL in hits the last five seasons and was part of one of the more effective fourth line units in hockey with Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas.
The 6’3” 220 lb winger will be asked to fulfill the same role in Toronto that he held in Long Island and Brooklyn, providing energy, a physical presence and protection for youngsters Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and William Nylander.
“I want to go out and be effective. In talking to the Leafs, I think I can play their game, not just fight.” Martin said on Friday. “I’m not someone who likes liberties being taken with my teammates. I’m there to free up space to help them.”
The Leafs were not in the mix for any of the top forwards (Milan Lucic, Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, David Backes or Loui Eriksson) who all signed long-term deals in the $5.25 Million to $6 Million range, but may have interest in bringing in a veteran blueliner in free agency or by trade.
“We’re extremely happy with where we are, the direction we’re going and we’re not going to change unless we could add something that would help that process.” Lamoriello said. “When you feel there is a need and there’s a short supply and you can get in your mind the best player available for that (role), then you have to make that decision.”
The signing of former Dallas Stars defenseman Jason Demers by the Florida Panthers to a five-year, $22.5 Million deal on Saturday may break the logjam of defensive moves over the next week.
RFA’s Jacob Trouba, Tyson Barrie and Matt Dumba, pending UFA Kevin Shattenkirk, Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler are all rumored to be available, while Kris Russell, James Wisniewski and former Leaf Luke Schenn are at the top of the available free agent list.
Deals for any of the pending or current free agents would likely involve Toronto trading a significant asset such as James van Riemsdyk or Nazem Kadri.
Russell reportedly was talking to the Leafs, Vancouver and Montreal and will likely be looking for $4 Million on a long-term deal after Demers signed for an AAV of $4.5 Million.
Wisniewski could be an intriguing option for Toronto if they are looking for a short-term option on the blueline. The well-travelled defenseman was bought out of the final year of his contract by Carolina after suffering a torn ACL and missing the entire 2015-16 season.
Toronto may be able to get the 32-year-old on a short-term deal that would enable him to re-establish his value and durability and allow the Leafs to deal the veteran at the deadline when defenseman are a prize commodity.
Schenn was moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles along with Vincent Lecavalier last January and is one of the youngest free agents at 26 years old. Eklund reported prior to the Draft that the Leafs may have interest in bringing back the 2008 fifth overall pick for a second tour in Toronto, but there are questions of whether Schenn would be a good fit in anything other than a bottom pairing role with limited foot speed.
The Leafs appear to be focused on right-handed blueliners with only Nikita Zaitsev, Connor Carrick and Frank Corrado on the depth chart. That would indicate a leaning towards Wisniewski, Schenn or other right-handed shooters.
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Listen to the Season Finale of “Off The Post” with myself, Russ Cohen and Anthony Mingioni, as we discuss the free agent signings on July 1:
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