Leafs Rebuild/What Comes Next? Part 2 - Free Agency

By Alex Hobson

In Wednesday's edition of "The Leafs Rebuild, what comes next?" I talked about the draft and which players I think would be key pickups in the first round. But after the draft comes another important part to the Leafs rebuild, Free Agency. We definitely will not be trying to stack up on top-end players and signing them to ridiculous contracts like we used to, but with Shanahan looking to clean house, we will need players to fill roster spots. Maple Leafs left winger Joffrey Lupul was quoted as saying "You still need players who can play, what are you gonna do? Fill up the roster with a bunch of draft picks?" and he is absolutely right. With players such as Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak, and Lupul all having the potential to be moved out before next season, we're gonna need to sign a few players. In this article, I will talk about 3 players the Leafs should consider signing in the offseason.

1. Justin Williams (RW, 6'1, 189lb, Los Angeles Kings)

Out of all the players who could be dealt during the offseason, Phil Kessel seems like the most likely. He is an elite player who has a knack for scoring goals, and tons of teams who lack a scorer would love his services. That being said, if we do move Kessel, we're going to need a player to play on the first line right wing. And no, not neccesarily a first line right winger who can put up 70-80 points a season, but rather just somebody who can score and hold his own on the top line. With the Kings unlikely to sign Williams, he would be a good fit to replace Phil Kessel. A native of Cobourg, Ontario, he has the potential to put up 30-60 points, depending on his role, and if signed to a short term deal (2-3 years) he would be a good mentor to younger players who would like to claim a roster spot such as tuart Percy, William Nylander, Josh Leivo, etc. and he would fill in the hole left by Phil Kessel.

2. Kyle Brodziak (C, 6'2, 209lb, Minnesota Wild)

Again, with the roster likely to be revamped this summer, we will need to fill some roles in the lineup. One of our top two centres in Tyler Bozak or Nazem Kadri will likely be moved this summer, so whether it's Bozak or Kadri that's dealt, the one who stays behind will resume top line minutes. Peter Holland could be looking to make the jump to the 2nd line centre next year, and with Sam Carrick possibly moving in to play on the 4th line, that leaves a hole in the 3rd line centre spot. Kyle Brodziak could be the player to fill that spot. He's a strong defensive player who has lots of heart, something this Leafs team lacked last year, and could easily take on a role of a 3rd liner for us next year. He's relatively young at age 31, so if signed to a one year deal, we could either move him at the deadline to a team that's contending, or keep him if his value doesn't raise.

3. Johnny Oduya (D, 6'0, 190lb, Chicago Blackhawks)

Oduya is a decent depth defenseman that would likely be added to the team as a mentor/veteran presence. He has been playing well for the Blackhawks during this year's playoff run, and if we had him playing alongside of Stuart Percy on the bottom pair, he would be a good mentor to our younger defenseman. Again, like Brodziak, a player that we can sign to a short term deal and possibly trade at the deadline to a team that's contending.

BONUS: If possible, a key RFA the Leafs should consider signing is LW Jonathan Huberdeau of the Florida Panthers. This is a very distant option, because Florida will likely look to re-sign him, but if the Leafs can manage to deal Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, and other players with a hefty cap hit, then they will have tons of cap space to work with, and could place a bid on Huberdeau. If Lupul is dealt during the offseason, then Huberdeau could slot in on the second line next to Peter Holland and whoever takes on the second line winger role.

What's your take on this, Leafs fans? Should the Leafs pursue any of these players? Leave feedback below.