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The Toronto Maple Leafs will open training camp in just over two weeks and have been relatively silent after a flurry of signings in the opening days of free agency. Other NHL clubs are bringing in veterans like Jack Johnson (COL), Brian Boyle (PIT) and Matt Bartkowski (PIT) on professional tryouts (PTO’s) to get a free look with no commitment, and it is possible that GM Kyle Dubas will do the same with a veteran or two to give them some options for depth at key positions.
Goalie - Toronto replaced Frederik Andersen by signing veteran netminder Petr Mrazek to a three-year deal to partner with Jack Campbell. With the addition of Eric Kallgren, the Leafs appear to have enough depth in the minors with Joseph Woll, Michael Hutchinson, Ian Scott and Keith Petruzzelli (AHL deal) vying for playing time, so a PTO for someone between the pipes is unlikely.
Defense – The Leafs never replaced Zach Bogosian as a dependable veteran and at this point appear to be giving Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren and Travis Dermott the opportunity to battle for spots on the bottom pairing, but this could be the place where Dubas brings in some experienced insurance. Ben Hutton was added at the deadline and played four games, but if Toronto is bringing in a veteran, it would likely be a right-hand shooter like Bogosian to play the right side with either Sandin or Dermott.
Erik Gudbranson and Jason Demers are two possible options. Gudbranson has played for four teams in the last two seasons, but the 29-year-old may be the best fit to replace Bogosian as a penalty killer and a physical presence. Demers has a dozen years of NHL experience, but his declining speed makes him a one-dimensional option on the blueline.
Forward – Toronto’s answer to the massive departures on the left side (Zach Hyman, Nick Foligno and Alex Galchenyuk) were adding Michael Bunting, Nick Ritchie, Kurtis Gabriel and center David Kampf. The addition of talented but enigmatic forward Josh Ho-Sang on a PTO may be more for the AHL Marlies.
With the option to move Alex Kerfoot to the wing, the Leafs could be looking for depth options at left wing or center. Galchenyuk is still unsigned and could be brought back, Kerfoot’s former teammate Ryan Donato has good offensive ability but has played for three NHL clubs in five seasons. An intriguing possibility is former Leaf Tyler Bozak, who won a Cup in St. Louis and scored 17 points in an injury-shortened 2021 season with the Blues.
Bozak would be a good fit on the third line if healthy and allow the Leafs to move Kerfoot to the wing in the top six.
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