Which 2017 UFA players should the Leafs target?

[TMLifer]

Which 2017 UFA players should the Leafs target?

Jamie Benn
Brad Marchand
Joe Thornton
Patrick Marleau
Brent Burns
Ben Bishop
Other
Wait for Tavares

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[Super Mega]

Tavs, Marchand, Benn, Burns are likely to re up

Bishop is nice but we have our goalie, the rest are likely to get term or $ that wont fit age/skill.... ill take a pass

 

[Neil Hamburger]

Burns, Alzner, Shattenkirk, and Kulikov

 

[taurine330]

Not interested in any of them. We have better kids coming up. Hence voted for JT.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

If he hits UFA Marchand taking him from the bruins would be great

But the main target should be Shattenkirk he would really pull our D together

 

[kk87]

I just voted "wait for Tavares" because I wouldn't want to bring anyone on board with massive term and $$$ unless they're mid-to-late 20s and an elite player. However, I will reconsider and say Benn - depending on what he's asking, he could be a massive addition to the team. Close to as effective a player as Tavares, if not more.

 

[Warden of the North]

Burns

 

[MapleLeafs9]

Jamie Benn to Toronto would be unreal, and is who I'd want to see here the most out of everyone on that list. But yeah he's their captain, best player, and nobody is due for a raise this year in Dallas while they got a decent amount of cap space to sign him to a big long term deal.

 

[Cor]

Id say Burns but he will re-up 100%

So I'll say Kevin Shattenkirk.

Maybe Marleau depending on how our wingers look.

 

[TheBigThree]

Tavares and benn

 

[MarryMarner]

Burns or Shattenkirk.

Would prefer to throw the Stamkos money at a #1 dman rather then the #1 center that Auston will become for us.

 

[SprDaVE]

None will make it aside from maybe Thornton and/or Marleau, and I don't want either.

 

[Once]

Burns but that won't happen

 

[MJ65]

Is it not too early to talk about next year's FA, how do we know how many of these are going to be FA

I really do not understand, how can you even have any discussion on next year's FA?

 

[Mad Brills*]

Shattenkirk's the only one I think who might hit UFA that the leafs could use, other than that, wait for tavares.

 

[rrc1967]

Is it not too early to talk about next year's FA, how do we know how many of these are going to be FA

I really do not understand, how can you even have any discussion on next year's FA?

+1

 

[Stephen]

I'd take a run at Jamie Benn if possible. Why not go for the best?

But what we really need is a Drew Doughty. I'd throw crazy money at him. Or imagine if we could steal away prime Erik Karlsson at some point.

 

[Buds17]

Today, Burns fills the biggest need IMO. Our needs and who's available could change by 2017 UFA time.

 

[BayStreetBully]

List of GTA born players by year of UFA. In brackets- birth year and place. All grew up Leafs fans.

2018 - Tavares (1990, Mississauga)

2019 - Seguin (1992, Brampton)

2020 - Pietrangelo (1990, King City)

2021 - Hamilton (1993, Toronto)

2022 - Subban (1989, Toronto)

If none of our defensive prospects pan out, we'll just buy one.

 

[shakermaker]

Is it not too early to talk about next year's FA, how do we know how many of these are going to be FA

I really do not understand, how can you even have any discussion on next year's FA?

Welcome to the offseason

 

[93gilmour93]

Burns

 

[The Iceman]

DD is not until 2019.
Perfect world it will be JT in 2 years.

 

[Menzinger]

I'd expect most of those guys will resign with their teams.

Shattenkirk perhaps. Burns maybe too - but at 31 going on 32, his next contract is going to be rough if he his UFA (he'll resign though with the Sharks).

But this year's Jujy 1st just further entrenched my view that smart teams should stay away from most UFA in the age of the salary cap.

 

[Stand Witness]

All of them if they come cheap/short term enough.

Thornton might be the best target if he isn't aiming for term (or anything longer than 3 years) but he will want a chance at a cup if he doesn't stay in SJ.

He would be a great #1/2 behind/ahead of Matthews to help him transition some more.

 

[BayStreetBully]

I'd expect most of those guys will resign with their teams.

Shattenkirk perhaps. Burns maybe too - but at 31 going on 32, his next contract is going to be rough if he his UFA (he'll resign though with the Sharks).

But this year's Jujy 1st just further entrenched my view that smart teams should stay away from most UFA in the age of the salary cap.

For the most part, yes. They'd have to be young enough, and good enough to justify their salary over the next 6-7 years. Benn and Burns are the only ones that make some sense, but I don't see either of them signing here next year. Not where we're at in our stage of development. Perhaps 2018 onwards is a different story.