The Toronto Maple Leafs experienced an exodus of players during the recent opening of NHL free agency. Their unrestricted free agents flew out the door at an alarming pace. Prospects are needed to fill the void.
The additions of Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, John Klingberg, and Ryan Reaves helped fill some roster spots, but only one of them (Reaves) signed for more than one year.
During free agency general manager Brad Treliving chose to augment next year’s lineup with the “bet-on-yourself” contracts signed by Bertuzzi, Domi, and Klingberg.
For success in the salary cap era, organizations need meaningful contributions from young players that are on entry-level deals.