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The Toronto Maple Leafs will kick tires on a number of different options as the NHL free agent signing period begins at 12pm EST on Friday. Whether that means that they will be in the mix for defenseman Alex Pietrangelo or less impactful names is anyone’s guess.
Eklund, Kevin Allen, Russ Cohen, myself and a host of others will be doing our annual free agent frenzy webcast starting at 11:30, but this blog will be updated throughout the day with the latest rumors and news.
To start this morning, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that Florida may be shopping blueliner Mackenzie Weegar. Weegar is 26, right-handed, an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent who made $1.6 million last season and had 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists) in 45 games with the Panthers.
Friedman believes there is interest from the Leafs and that he is exactly the type of player that Toronto is looking for.
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The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun is reporting that the Leafs have signed winger Wayne Simmonds to a one-year, $1.5 million deal, with a full no-movement clause.
Wayne Simmonds is coming home!
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 9, 2020
We’ve signed @Simmonds17 to a one-year contract. #LeafsForever
Details: https://t.co/QBhgKpokuV pic.twitter.com/Z4CdNEhTvN
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From LeBrun - Still not finalized, but hearing Evan Rodrigues headed back to Pittsburgh (traded from Pens to the Leafs in Kapanen deal, Toronto didn't QO him)
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Per Chris Johnston and Elliotte Friedman, the Leafs have signed defenseman TJ Brodie to a four-year, $20 million contract.
Listen to some excellent pre-draft talk with myself, Sportsology’s Russ Cohen, Anthony Mingioni, and Shane Malloy.
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