There's been some speculation and reports that the Leafs are keeping an eye on the European free agent market with links to Russian RHD, Igor Ozhiganov. I don't see anything special with him, he played on the same team as Alexei Marchenko and they look basically the same to me but there's plenty of other guys worth taking a look at.
The Leafs need to replace JVR, Bozak, Komarov, Moore / Plekanec and Polak. With Johnsson and Kapanen having a great chance to replace JVR and Komarov, there is still room for the Leafs to add more pieces. They could also look to add a goalie to the system if they either promote Sparks or replace McElhinney with a younger goalie who could potentially play more games.
Mikhail Grigorenko - C/W - 23 years old, 6'2", 209 lbs, 1st round pick.
http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=42435
KHL Regular season: 45GP 10G 13A 23P +15
Playoffs: 21GP 9G 4A 13P +7
Don't know if Colorado still has his rights but still young, still talented, might be worth a shot if he wants to give the NHL another shot, low risk, high reward.
Role: Replace Bozak, helps the Marlies if he doesn't make the team or go back to the KHL.
Alexander Khokhlachev - C/W - 24 years old, 5'10", 181, 2nd round pick.
http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=41925
KHL Regular season: 52GP 19G 31A 50P +3
Smallish skilled forward, 2nd most points among centers in the KHL, might be worth a shot. Rights probably still belong to the Bruins, maybe they move him if he doesn't fit in their plans. Could come in real cheap.
Role: Replace Bozak, helps the Marlies if he doesn't make the team or go back to the KHL.
Vladimir Tkachyou - C - 24 years old, 6'0, 207 lbs.
http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=77117
KHL Regular season: 53GP 22G 14A 36P +11
Playoffs: 19 GP 3G 6A 9P +10
Improving goal and point totals every year, KHL Champion, Olympic gold medalist, pretty good face-off winner.
Role: Replace Bozak or Komarov, can go back to the KHL if he doesn't make the team.
Teemu Hartikainen - C/W - 27 years old, 6'1", 214 lbs.
http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=11365
Regular season: 55GP 20G 21A 41P +6
Playoffs: 14GP 4G 7A 11P +4
Big body, does well on the PP, even does the JVR between the legs top corner move, played in the AHL/NHL before. Not the best skater but if he plays the right minutes, on the right line, could be worth it a look.
Role: Replace Komarov, big heavy body 4th liner who can stand in front on the PP and score some dirty goals, helps replace JVR a little bit.
Pavel Francouz - G - 27 years old, 6', 179lbs.
Czech Champion, Czech goalie of the year multiple times.
http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=18084
KHL Regular season 16/17: 30 GP, 1.43 GAA, .953%
Playoffs: 6 GP, 2.15 GAA, .924 SV%
Regular season 17/18: 35 GP, 1.80 GAA, .946%
Playoffs: 12 GP, 1.90 GAA, .949%
It's been awhile since we've seen a Czech goalie make a name for himself in the NHL but this Czech goalie has accomplished a fair amount in Europe, winning everything there is to win in the Czech league over several good seasons and bringing that talent over to the KHL. UFA, looking to come to the NHL.
Role: Back-up who can play 25-30 games.
Emil Garipov - G - 26 years old, 6'2", 192 lbs, WJC20 Gold, WJC18 Silver, KHL Champion.
http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=16732
KHL Regular Season: 47 GP, 1.99GAA, .931 SV%
Playoffs: 19 GP, 1.55 GAA, .944 SV%
The Islanders are looking at him, he may want to be a starter but if he's okay with being a back-up, another option at back-up who could be worth a look.
Role: Back-up who can play 25-30 games.
Veini Vehvilainen - G - 21 years old, 6'0, 174lbs, undrafted eligible for the 2018 draft, WJC20 - Gold, WJC18 - Silver, Finnish League Champion
http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=176290
Regular season: 35 GP 1.89 GAA .925 SV%
Playoffs: 17 GP 1.57 GAA .933 SV%
Somebody is going to draft this guy this year, I hope it's the Leafs. He's overage for the draft but he's been making noise in Finland. Not the biggest goalie but his numbers are solid and he's a winner.
Role: Prospect, can be drafted and kept in Finland for another year or two.
Kaapo Kahkonen - G - 21 years old, 6'3", 227, drafted by Minnesota in 2014, 4th round, WJC20 - Gold, WJC18 - Bronze.
http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=114708
Finnish Regular Season: 56 GP, 2.20 GAA, .922 SV%
Playoffs: 2 GP 2.38 GAA, .921 SV%
Don't know if Minnesota still has his rights but he's young, big and talented and could be a steal if he's free.
Role: Back-up or Marlies starter to replace Sparks if he's moved up or out.
Patrik Hersley - RHD - 31 years old, 6'3", 209 lbs, KHL champion, drafted by LA in 2005, 5th round, Swedish International.
KHL Regular season: 41GP 14G 21A 35P +18
Playoffs: 13 GP 1 G 4 A 5 P +7
http://www.eliteprospects...om/player.php?player=1288
Older than most guys I'd be looking at but has a bomb of a shot. Has always scored a significant amount of goals in every league he's ever played in from Sweden to the KHL.
Role: Bottom pairing RHD, possibly used as a big shot on the PP.
David Rundblad - RHD - 27 years old, 6'2", 198 lbs WJC20 Silver, World Champion Silver, WJC20 Bronze, Stanley Cup with Chicago.
http://www.eliteprospects...om/player.php?player=7069
KHL Regular season: 39GP 2G 9A 11 P+23
Once traded for Tarasenko and then Turris, never really turned out because he wasn't paying enough attention to his defensive game but the past couple years in the Swiss league and the KHL, appears to have settled down his high-risk game and is more defensively responsible.
Role: Bottom pairing RHD, another option on the PP.
