Maple was once again rejected by some players as they want more than just to
Turning down free agency offers from the Toronto Maple Leafs has becoming increasingly common. Several players have done so in recent seasons, and it has become increasingly common this summer. Whether it’s due to a lack of postseason success, the pressure of playing in Toronto, or better offers elsewhere, the center of the hockey universe is becoming a city that must begin selling players on the benefits of joining the organization.
While this summer may have shed light to the possible issue, here are a few names from recent seasons who have turned down Toronto. It is not only this season that players have chosen to go elsewhere, and here are the reasons why.
Jeff Skinner rejects Toronto for Edmonton.
Chris Johnston of The Athletic and TSN revealed that the Maple Leafs directly approached Jeff Skinner about playing on a line alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Skinner declined, electing to play alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl with the Edmonton Oilers instead. If available, this is a decent backup choice.
Skinner was coming off a buyout in Buffalo, and while he has not acknowledged interest from Toronto or explained why he preferred the fit in Edmonton, it’s a telling hint that when given the opportunity to play alongside the greatest players on the Maple Leafs team, a 30-goal scorer chose not to. Was it about the city? Was this the roster? Or did Edmonton provide a better potential to win?
Tyler Bertuzzi joins the rebuilding Blackhawks.
The Maple Leafs had expressed an interest in having Tyler Bertuzzi return after just one season with the organization in 2023-24. He achieved success in Toronto after signing a one-year contract worth $5.5 million. He sought a multi-year contract but apparently demanded more than the Leafs were ready to offer. Bertuzzi considered returning to the Leafs, but eventually joined the Chicago Blackhawks.
One may argue that this loss was as much a decision by the Leafs as it was Bertuzzi’s to go on. He got a four-year, $22 million contract in Chicago, and Brad Treliving was unlikely to offer him that much money for such a long period of time. However, it is not an outrageous price for a player who will be productive in Chicago, and the Leafs have been hunting for a top-six winger since his decision to leave.
What’s most surprising about this one is that Bertuzzi chose the Blackhawks, who are unlikely to compete for the Stanley Cup.
Brandon Montour moves to Seattle for seven seasons.
Defenseman Brandon Montour acknowledged this week that he had ‘conversations’ with the Maple Leafs before to joining the Seattle Kraken. He was asked about it because he had friends and family in the neighborhood. Instead of going where many close to him would have been pleased to watch him play, he chose Seattle and is joining a team that isn’t necessarily a contender but already has another similar-style defenseman on the roster in Vince Dunn.
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Montour stated that he looked at the Leafs’ roster and believes he might have fit in, but family and business reasons eventually ruled Toronto out. The deal he was offered in Seattle was solid. It is likely that Toronto’s was not as good.
Milan Lucic and Radko Gudas took their toughness elsewhere.
Last offseason, when the Leafs were looking to add some toughness to their lineup, Brad Treliving pursued Milan Lucic and Radko Gudas. Lucic remarked on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast that he couldn’t bring himself to wear a Maple Leafs uniform after spending so many years as a Boston Bruin. Gudas chose to play in Anaheim rather than Canada, where the pressure from the media and fans is great.
Finally, the Leafs want toughness so much that they signed Ryan Reaves to a three-year contract, which was universally derided by fans and insiders.
Zach Hyman Is Still A Mistake. The Leafs Regret
The biggest star to shoot down Toronto in recent seasons, and one the franchise is likely to regret to this day, was Zach Hyman, who left in free agency and moved to Edmonton. He described it as the best decision he’d ever made, and his career numbers had skyrocketed since making the switch.
Hyman adored Toronto, but conjecture suggests that he didn’t like how he was handled on his way out and saw an opportunity to join McDavid and a lethal top six. He has been a key member of the NHL’s greatest power play, scoring 54 goals in the regular season and 16 more in 25 postseason games this season.
