The 2021 NHL free agency period opened yesterday at noon and before the clock even struck twelve, dozens of signings were announced by those loveable hockey insiders.
We had long rumored moves confirmed, and some surprises, and we said good bye to some long time Maple Leafs. Let's make free agency all about Toronto and look at where the guys who skated for the blue and white ended up.
Zach Hyman to the Edmonton Oilers
7 years, $5.5 million AAV
Leafs stats: 345GP - 86G - 99A - 185Pts - 201PIM
Zach Hyman was coming out of college, having finished his career with the University of Michigan, and did not want to sign with the Florida Panthers who had originally drafted him. So instead of losing him to free agency, the Panthers traded him to the Maple Leafs, along with a conditional 7th round pick, for Greg McKegg.
Hyman joined the Maple Leafs full time in the 2016-17 season, and set the record for most short handed goals by a rookie, with 4. His record matched his player type, which wasn’t very flashy.
Now, after earning a higher price than the Leafs could offer him, Zach Hyman has moved on to the Edmonton Oilers, and the chance to play on Connor McDavid’s wing. From Auston Matthews to Connor McDavid. Not a bad move.
Frederik Andersen to the Carolina Hurricanes
2 years, $4.5 milllion AAV
Maple Leafs stats: 268GP - .914sv% - 2.79GAA - 3SO
Finally, the draft pick will play in Carolina! Originally drafted by the Hurricanes 187th overall in 2010, he didn’t sign with the team and re-entered the draft in 2012 where he would be taken 87th overall by the Anaheim Ducks.
Four years later, just ahead of the draft, Andersen would be traded to the Maple Leafs for a 2016 first round pick and a 2017 second.
Andersen currently sits sixth in games played, fourth in wins, and 12th in goalie points.
Zach Bogosian to the Tampa Bay Lightning
3 years, $850,000 AAV
Maple Leafs stats: 45GP - 0G - 4A - 4Pts - 49PIM
A long time Thrasher-Jet and Sabres, Bogosian joined the Maple Leafs after winning the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He did not win a cup in Toronto, and combining that with his desire to live somewhere that pretends there isn’t a pandemic going on. So, he’s going back to Florida!
Nic Petan to the Vancouver Canucks
1 year, 2 way, $750,000 / $450,000
Maple Leafs stats: 28GP - 1G - 4A - 5Pts - 8PIM
Nic Petan is a long time AHL/NHL tweener, and spent the last three seasons in the Maple Leafs organization. Now he’s off to Vancouver and/or Abbotsford. Thanks for all the Spider-Man/Nic Petan songs.
David Rittich to the Nashville Predators
1 year, $1.25 million AAV
Maple Leafs Stats: 4GP - .888sv% - .272sv%
Brought in for a third round pick to back up Jack Campbell while Andersen was out, he didn’t make a huge impact. Now, he’s off the Nashville. Bye Dave!
Nick Foligno to the Boston Bruins
2 years, $3.8 million
Maple Leafs stats: 7GP - 0G - 4A - 4Pts - 4PIM
Foligno got to skate on the same team as his dad, but was injured for most of his Leafs tenure. Now he’s a filthy Bruin.
Kenny Agostino to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL
Maple Leafs stats: 1GP - 0G - 0A - 0Pts
Agostino played with the Marlies for two years and got one Maple Leafs game in. Now he’s off to the KHL where he’ll probably get more points than in the AHL, so good for him.
There also a few more Maple Leafs that are now free agents, but haven’t signed anywhere yet.
Kalle Kossila to Jokerit of the KHL
Maple Leafs stats: None!
Kossila was nice to have on the Marlies, but now he’s gone. We hardly knew ye, if you even knew he was there.
Veini Vehviläinen to Brynäs IF of the SHL
Maple Leafs stats: Nope.
Some goaltending insurance, but he never got to the show. Bye!
Martin Marincin to HC Ocelari Trinec of the Czech league
Maple Leafs stats: 142GP - 4G - 19A - 23Pts - 78PIM
Don’t worry. He’ll be back. He always comes back.
Then there are the ghost ships, wandering free agency without a port to dock in:
Alex Galchenyuk, Riley Nash, Stefan Noesen, Calle Rosen, Scott Sabourin, and Joe Thornton.
If you could pick only one, who would you bring back?
Who would you bring back?
| Alex Galchenyuk | 1292 |
| Riley Nash | 188 |
| Stefan Noesen | 16 |
| Calle Rosen | 55 |
| Scott Sabourin | 44 |
| Joe Thornton | 88 |
If you were working on this high holiday like I was, here’s a wrap up of what the Maple Leafs did:
Related
Free Agency Recap: Maple Leafs left the biggest hole unfilled
Leafs Sign Defenders Alex Biega, Carl Dahlstrom
Josh Ho-Sang to Leafs on a PTO
Maple Leafs sign David Kämpf to a 2-year, $1.5M AAV deal
Maple Leafs sign Kurtis Gabriel
Maple Leafs sign Michael Amadio from Sault Ste. Marie
Michael Bunting to the Maple Leafs for $950,000
Report: Maple Leafs sign goalie Petr Mrazek
Maple Leafs acquire AHL defenseman Brennan Menell from Minnesota
Théo Rochette to be invited to the Maple Leafs Prospect Camp — Report
Could anyone get offer sheeted?
Related
NHL's Top 13 RFAs of 2021: Latest rumours and reports
There’s a $3.5 million hole the Leafs are looking for a forward to fill.
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Will anything else big and exciting happen today?
Maybe.
What am I, Pysyk?
