Hockey: Free-agent options for the Leafs are plenty

This summer’s NHL free agency class might not feature marquee names — apart from the ever-speculated Mitch Marner situation — but it more than makes up for that in solid, dependable depth. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, that’s not a bad trade-off. Rather than targeting high-priced stars, the Leafs have a chance to retool with smart, versatile, and cost-effective additions — players who can thrive under new head coach Craig Berube and round out a top-heavy roster.

Anthony Beauvillier

Anthony Beauvillier is a strong top-nine winger candidate. He brings energy, skill, and a bit of edge. Despite his modest size, Beauvillier plays with bite and consistency, especially around the net, as shown by his 91st-percentile ranking in high-danger shots last season. He’s not flashy, but 15-20 goals and positional flexibility — from the fourth line to the top line, as he showed with Washington — would give Berube options and reliability.

Tanner Jeannot

Tanner Jeannot fits the Berube mould: size, grit, and potential upside. The 6-foot-2 winger exploded onto the scene with a 24-goal rookie year, prompting Tampa Bay to trade heavily for him. He hasn’t rediscovered that form, largely due to limited opportunity, but a bigger role with better linemates could reignite his production. If the Leafs want more sandpaper and some goal-scoring potential in the bottom six, Jeannot is worth the gamble — though his likely asking price (around $3 million) requires some faith.

Andrew Mangiapane

Andrew Mangiapane brings speed, effort, and a potential scoring touch. A Toronto native and Brad Treliving draft pick, Mangiapane had a breakout 35-goal season but more commonly hovers around the 15-18 mark. If deployed higher up with more offensive zone starts and linemates who can finish, he could return to 20-goal form. He’s a feisty, tenacious forechecker — something this Leafs lineup has often lacked.

Eric Robinson

Eric Robinson also offers size, speed, and middle-six scoring. At 6-foot-2, Robinson has straight-line speed (ranking in the 83rd percentile) and contributes with both goals (14 last season) and physicality. He’s versatile, kills penalties, and fits the Berube blueprint.

Jeff Skinner

Jeff Skinner, while not as physical, brings something the Leafs still need: pure goal-scoring upside. Despite a down year in Edmonton where he was often a healthy scratch, he still scored 16 goals in limited ice time. A three-time 30-goal scorer, Skinner could be a budget-friendly bet to rediscover that touch in a second-line role.

Reilly Smith 

Reilly Smith is a playoff-proven veteran who can do a bit of everything. His versatility — power play, penalty kill, defensive zone starts — makes him an ideal glue guy for a contender. A short-term deal near his previous $5 million cap hit might offer solid value. Hailing from Toronto, Smith could relish a homecoming and a shot at another Cup.

Brent Burns

Brent Burns might be 40, but he’s still playing 20+ minutes a night, anchoring top-pair units and contributing to special teams. With reduced responsibility in Toronto — behind Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo — he could still add offensive punch, especially on a second power-play unit. Burns ranked ninth among NHL defencemen in shot attempts last season, and Berube values point shots and net-front chaos. Burns also provides lineup flexibility, potentially forming a veteran third pair with Oliver Ekman-Larsson or shifting up with Morgan Rielly for offensive-zone draws.

Nick Perbix

Nick Perbix, on the other hand, represents upside. A 27-year-old right-shot defenceman from Tampa Bay, Perbix had six goals and 19 points last year with no power-play time and limited minutes. Slotting him next to a puck mover like Ekman-Larsson could unlock more offense. With size (6-foot-4, 200+ pounds), mobility, and potential to grow into a bigger role, Perbix offers a smart blend of youth and reliability.

Honourable Mentions

There are plenty of other names worth monitoring. Mason Appleton is a two-way third-line forward built for tough matchups. Connor Brown is a versatile penalty killer and former Leaf. Nick Bjugstad offers size and fourth-line utility. Sean Kuraly brings intensity and grit. Corey Perry, at 40, still provides playoff utility and edge. Victor Olofsson and Brandon Tanev round out the list with scoring and physicality respectively.

While the Leafs likely won’t land every name here, targeting smart, sneaky-good fits could be exactly what’s needed to reshape the roster into a more balanced, playoff-capable unit.

RS/MS. Photos RM