The highs and lows of Canada Day free agency for Maple Leafs
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Given some of the biggest decisions were settled before noon on July 1, there's not a lot of thunder expected from teams such as the Maple Leafs.
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But Toronto has never shied away from significant UFA moves in the past, some with the desired boost , others that were busts.
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HITS
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2024 – G Anthony Stolarz.
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From a back-up role in Florida to the NHL's regular seasoin save percentage leader at .926.
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2018 – C John Tavares
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His almost point-a-game production in regular season, went a long way to mitigating the seven-year, $77 million price tag Leafs had to out-bid everyone and bring him home. Now they keep him at a discount.
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2016 — F Matt Martin.
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His job, as coach Mike Babcock described it, 'keep the flies away' from young stars.
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2009 – F Colton Orr
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2006 — D Hal Gill/D Pavel Kubina
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1998– G Curtis Joseph
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Sweet deal that began with chance meeting in an ice cream parlour with president Ken Dryden. Signed a second time in 2008.
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MISSES
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2021 – G Petr Mrazek
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His three-year contract ended in a salary dump.
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2021 – RW Nick Ritchie
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Had a shot on he first line, much more was expected before Leafs demoted and eventually traded him.
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2017 – C Patrick Marleau
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Established player and great mentor for the young Leafs, but three years at $18.75 million came back to haunt their accountants,.
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2013– F David Clarkson
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GM Dave Nonis misjudged Clarkson's impact, but not before awarding seven years at $36.75 million..
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2009 – D Mike Komisarek
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Tried too hard to make an immediate impact.
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2008 – D Jeff Finger
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A four-year, $14 million mistake for Cliff Fletcher in his second incarnation as GM.
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