Not only do the Toronto Maple Leafs face difficult trade decisions in an attempt to change things up with the core, but there is also speculation regarding what to do with their several upcoming unrestricted free agents.
Tyler Bertuzzi, a forward, is one of the names up for dispute. Bertuzzi had a tale of two seasons, as he struggled offensively in the first part of the season but improved in the second half. He had been goalless for 19 games before starting to score and finishing with 21 goals.
While he was able to pick it up and made an impact in the playoffs, re-signing him carries some risk because you never know what you’re going to get. Are you going to obtain the energetic Bertuzzi who crashed the net to score goals? Or would you select the one who had awful puck luck and struggled to convert on simple goals? His $5.5 million cap hit from last season does not deserve a rise, as there is greater incentive to re-sign Max Domi.
Fortunately for general manager Brad Treliving, there are some strong free agent possibilities to strengthen his offense and bring the same spark and enthusiasm in the top six.
Anthony Duclair
If the Maple Leafs want to add a player who can provide regular secondary scoring, Anthony Duclair should be at the top of their list. Duclair scored 24 goals and 42 points this season while playing for both the San Jose Sharks and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Spencer Lazary of THW had him as a trade option, and now that he’s ready to enter the market, why not circle back?
Duclair can score in a variety of ways and moves quickly enough to go past opponents. He isn’t the largest player, but he has the strength to fight his way through and seize his opportunity. He’d have an advantage overBertuzzi instantly.
During the regular season, Duclair was in the 93rd percentile for top skating speed and the 89th percentile for speed bursts of 20 mph. Offensively, he does the majority of his damage in front of the net or in high-danger areas, where he has 59 shots and 14 goals. Although Bertuzzi made a life in that sector, he lacked the quickness that this team lacked on occasion. Duclair has it, and despite his lack of physicality, he is fierce and motivated.
Coming off a recent contract with a $3 million cap cost, Duclair would undoubtedly be an upgrade over Bertuzzi. He may receive a $4 million raise, and signing him to a three-year contract would be an option for adding a solid secondary scorer to the roster. Duclair would make an excellent middle-six forward, capable of playing with pace and speed on the second or third line.
Jake DeBrusk
I guess we can add Jake DeBrusk to the list of opponents who have had success against the Maple Leafs in the playoffs. He was an underestimated Boston Bruins player, scoring five points in the seven-game series, three of which came in Game 1. That production continued against the Florida Panthers, as he scored five points in five games.
