4 Maple Leafs Who Could Leave the Club This Summer
4 Maple Leafs Free Agents Who Might Follow Keefe to the Devils
Josh Reinitz – May 23, 2024
On Wednesday, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald revealed that Sheldon Keefe will be the team’s new head coach. Fitzgerald’s off-season to-do list began with Keefe’s appointment, but there are still other items on it. Keefe, the former head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, will now set about establishing a coaching staff and implementing a playbook aimed at restoring the Devils’ prominence.
Traditionally, new coaches bring in seasoned players to help smooth the transition to a new style of play. Players who are familiar with how a coach wants the team to practice and play might adapt to a new plan more quickly. While the Devils cannot fix their goalkeeper situation by looking to the Maple Leafs, they may address other requirements, such as acquiring supporting forwards and seasoned defenseman. Toronto has six skaters set to become free agents on July 1; here are four who may fit into the Devils’ plans financially and tactically. (AFP Analytics’ salary estimates)
Max Domi’s Forward Projection: 2 years x $3.575 million
Max Domi has been a contentious player throughout his career. He has never lived up to the expectations that prompted the then-Phoenix Coyotes to choose him with the 12th selection in 2013. After nine seasons in the NHL, he has established himself as a tough middle-six player who can contribute from both center and wing positions.
In some ways, he is a younger version of Erik Haula, a valuable player for successful organizations who constantly moved teams. Domi’s finest play this season came in the second half and playoffs, when his ice time climbed significantly. Domi was thrown into the lineup after William Nylander and Auston Matthews were sidelined at various stages in their first-round series against the Boston Bruins. He answered with four points in seven games.
He would provide grit and secondary offense to the Devils, as well as cement a third line with Ondrej Palat and Haula that might rival any in the NHL. Domi carries considerable risk, as he has been inconsistent throughout his career. However, when asked to center the third line, he appeared to find a position in Toronto.
Domi played the second most minutes at 5v5 of any forward in the playoffs, yet he only allowed three goals. With him on the ice, the Maple Leafs’ goaltenders posted a save percentage of.944. If the Devils can sign Domi at the expected price and terms, he would be a valuable addition to their middle six as a versatile player who can contribute to the second power play unit while also bringing some snarl.
Tyler Bertuzzi, Forward – Projection: four years x $5.2 million.
Tyler Bertuzzi, like Domi, was brought to Toronto to provide toughness and supplementary scoring. Bertuzzi is a middle-six winger capable of scoring 20-30 goals and recording almost 90 hits every season. He dominates on the walls and in the crease. He has the ability to agitate, something the Devils desperately need. The main worry with Bertuzzi would be
