Reporter urges Toronto to bring in Stanley Cup Champion Evgeny Kuznetsov
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made some solid additions to their blue line this summer, and now it would make sense if they added a big time forward too.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been very busy this off-season, but after struggling in the Stanley Cup Playoffs over the past few years, they've still got some big moves to make. In the forward group, all they've done thus far is re-sign Connor Dewar and Max Domi, and now, a writer with The Hockey Writers has suggested the team try and target Evgeny Kuznetsov on a cheap deal.
«There was a belief he could opt to join the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia, but a recent report states that he could end up back in the NHL this upcoming season,» Courville-Lynch wrote. «Bringing in Kuznetsov allows the Maple Leafs to experiment with their lineup a bit too.
«The other benefit to bringing in Kuznetsov is that it likely wouldn't break the bank and affect their salary cap in a big way. He would likely ask for a short-term deal, probably for one season, worth around $1 million. If that's what he's asking for, the Maple Leafs should be chomping at the bit to try and sign him.
«The Maple Leafs should be trying to get something done sooner rather than later.»
«The other benefit to bringing in Kuznetsov is that it likely wouldn't break the bank and affect their salary cap in a big way. He would likely ask for a short-term deal, probably for one season, worth around $1 million. If that's what he's asking for, the Maple Leafs should be chomping at the bit to try and sign him.
«The Maple Leafs should be trying to get something done sooner rather than later.»
Despite many believing he would head to Europe to see out the rest of his career, the story has now flipped, and there's a high chance that a team could bring him in on a very cheap deal. Adding Kuznetsov to likely play 3C would allow the team to experiment with their lineup as mentioned, allowing Max Domi to head back to the top line alongside Auston Matthews, while giving the team plenty of depth and scoring punch.
It's unclear if the interest is real in Toronto or if this is just a suggestion, but the Maple Leafs Stanley Cup window won't be open forever, so if they don't get aggressive now and pursue players like Kuznetsov, they may never accomplish their goals with this talented core.
Source: Heavy.com
Maple Leafs Urged to Sign Unexpected Cup-Champion Free Agent
Maple Leafs Urged to Sign Unexpected Cup-Champion Free Agent
| POLL | ||
25 JUILLET | 125 ANSWERS Reporter urges Toronto to bring in Stanley Cup Champion Evgeny Kuznetsov Should the Maple Leafs target Evgeny Kuznetsov as a free agent? | ||
| Yes | 55 | 44 % |
| No | 70 | 56 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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