Maple Leafs Encouraged to Pursue Surprise Stanley Cup Winner in Free Agency
The Toronto Maple Leafs are running low on free-agent options. However, they might have an unexpected chance to bolster their forward group.
In a July 24 article, Jesse Courville-Lynch of The Hockey Writers suggested that the Maple Leafs should consider signing recently available forward Evgeny Kuznetsov, following the end of his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.
“While there was speculation that Kuznetsov might head to the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia, recent reports indicate he could return to the NHL this coming season,” Courville-Lynch noted. “Adding Kuznetsov could provide the Maple Leafs with an opportunity to experiment with their lineup.
“Another advantage of signing Kuznetsov is that it would likely be a cost-effective move, unlikely to heavily impact their salary cap. He would probably seek a short-term deal, likely one season, around $1 million. If this is the case, the Maple Leafs should be eager to secure his services.
“The team should act quickly to make this deal happen.”
Despite consistently making the playoffs, the Maple Leafs are still missing key pieces to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Courville-Lynch believes that a budget-friendly acquisition like Kuznetsov could be a strategic move worth pursuing for the 2024-25 season.
