TORONTO (June 30) -- Having as many as 10 roster positions to fill before the start of the regular season, Maple Leafs' general manager Cliff Fletcher will undoubtedly begin to reduce that number on the free agent market this week. The question is... with whom, and to what extent?
Given that the club is in a restructuring mode, yet again, it is debatable whether Fletcher will be able to lure any of the premier skaters to town, though several will be on his wish-list. He has promised not to throw silly money at the Jason Blakes of the world -- those in their mid-30s. Players of that vintage may be pursued, but not with four and five-year offers. As such, a practical approach would see Fletcher add perhaps four players to the roster: A back-up goalie; a skilled forward (preferably a centre man), and two serviceable defensemen. Most of which are available among the second tier of free agents this summer. Others, of course, can be had via the trade market.
The Maple Leafs will likely target players from this group when the bell rings at 12:01 p.m. on Tuesday (age in brackets beside name).
GOALIES
CURTIS JOSEPH (41): The Leafs' No. 1 netminder from 1998 to 2002 is looking to finish his hall of fame career in Toronto, and I received two good tips on the weekend that it's likely to happen. Joseph worked very well with starter Mikka Kiprusoff in Calgary during the second half of last season, and Kiprusoff would surely provide fellow Finn Vesa Toskala with a glowing endorsement of the veteran. If new coach Ron Wilson can establish an improved defensive posture with the Leafs, Joseph would likely be able to play 15 to 20 games. Which is precisely the number Wilson is expecting from his back-up goalie.
STEPHEN VALIQUETTE (30): The Toronto native hasn't played many games in the NHL since being chosen by Los Angeles in the eighth round of the 1996 draft. In fact, his 13-game stint with the New York Rangers last season surpassed, by one, his prior total in the big league. But, Valiquette stepped in admirably for Henrik Lundqvist, compiling a 5-3-3 record and a 2.19 goals-against average. If the Maple Leafs are looking at a longer committment from their No. 2 man, Valiquette would be a better choice than Joseph.
FORWARDS
SEAN AVERY (27): Could be some interesting moments for yours truly in the Toronto dressing room if this guy pulls on the Blue & White. That aside, Avery would give the Leafs an aggressive, no-nonsense forward, with an ability to score key goals. He would need to overcome a sudden distaste for the corner of the world in which he grew up, but a $4-million offer from the Leafs would probably take the edge of the horror of playing in Toronto. What a scene it could be if he were assigned Darcy Tucker’s old locker position… right next to Jason Blake! If the Rangers don’t step up to the plate at the last moment to keep him, Avery will definitely be on the Leafs’ radar.
JAY PANDOLFO (32): If the Leafs are looking for some character, and a much-needed boost to their penalty killing woes, they could do much worse than this two-time Stanley Cup winner. Pandolfo has never been a big scorer, but his coaches in New Jersey always utilized him in important, late-game situations. A superb forechecker, and regarded as a terrific teammate, Pandolfo would add leadership to the ever-changing Leafs’ dressing room.
CORY STILLMAN (34): Fletcher said he’ll generally shy away from players in this age-group, but Stillman is a young 34, and is only two years removed from winning back-to-back Stanley Cups (with Tampa Bay and Carolina). He continues to have a good touch around the net (24 goals last season with the Hurricanes and Senators). He is also a player that would fit very comfortably into a new team dynamic in Toronto, and would provide experience and leadership for a couple of seasons. He could, however, be pursuing a salary out of range for the Blue & White.
MICHAEL RYDER (27): The wheels fell off in Montreal last season for this previously consistent scorer. Ryder slumped to 14 goals, after seasons of 25, 30 and 30. He may just need a change of scenery to get back on the rails. It was obvious that Canadiens’ coach Guy Carbonneau had no use for the right-winger, as he was a healthy scratch on many nights. Something tells me that Ron Wilson might be able to get through to this guy. If so, he’d be a valued addition.
RADIM VRBATA (27): The talented right-winger kind of disappeared down the stretch for Phoenix last season, as the Coyotes made an unexpected playoff push. Otherwise, he had a good season -- notching 27 goals and 56 points in 76 games, and finishing second to Shane Doan in team scoring. He had seven powerplay goals; three shorthanded tallies, and five game-winners. Though he's not a physical player, by any means, Vrbata would clearly add an element of skill to the Toronto line-up. He made $1.225 million last season and is probably looking to double that figure. Buffalo is interested in him.
ANTTI MIETTINEN (26): An intelligent player at both ends of the ice, this Finnish-born right-winger scored a number of key goals for Dallas last season. He has some Tomas Kaberle in his blood and he, therefore, passes up high-percentage shooting opportunities. Otherwise, his total of 15 markers in 2007-08 would have been closer to 22 or 23. At 6-feet, 190 pounds, Miettinen is not a small player, but he rarely uses his size to advantage. He does, however, possess a fair amount of skill, and teams will probably not have to break the bank to sign him.
BRENDAN MORRISON (31): A bit of a gamble, after an injury-plagued season in Vancouver that included wrist surgery and a torn ACL. But, Morrison is an intriguing commodity on the open market for his proven ability to score in the 20-goal, 60-point range. Depending on how much money he’s seeking, more than a few teams could take a flyer on him.
DEFENSEMEN
MARK STREIT (29): The Leafs would have to roll out big bucks, and compete feverishly with five or six teams, to sign this offensive-minded rearguard from Montreal. But, Streit would be the perfect replacement for Bryan McCabe, who Fletcher badly wants to unload. Skating for the Habs, Streit finished third among NHL blueliners last season with 62 points (13 goals) – behind only Nicklas Lidstrom and Sergei Gonchar.
RON HAINSEY (26): I can tell you that Fletcher really likes this free agent from the Columbus Blue Jackets. I can also tell you that 10 to 15 other teams like Hainsey as well. He scored only eight goals last season, but all were on the powerplay. Many believe he has the potential to be a 50 to 60-point defenseman. Also may earn a big contract because of supply and demand. He made only $900,000 in 2007-08.
PAUL MARA (27): Not a flashy player, but his big body – 6-foot-4, 219 pounds – makes Mara an attractive free agent commodity. The Leafs lost size on the blueline when they unloaded Hal Gill and part-time defenseman Wade Belak at the trade deadline, so Mara would compensate for that. He did, however, make $3 million last season, and that may be too luxurious for Fletcher.
BROOKS ORPIK (27): Someone is going to overpay for this guy, and the Leafs could be in the hunt. Though Orpik is a decent, reliable defender, that mega-shift he had for Pittsburgh against the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup final – during which he eliminated four Detroit players along the boards in a 45-second span – might be worth an extra $1 million to him in contract negotiations.
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