Brad Treliving Must Act Quickly to Sign Former Stanley Cup Champion After Contract Termination
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a huge opportunity to add a Stanley Cup winner to their forward depth after Tyler Johnson had his contract terminated by the Bruins.
It's no secret the Leafs need to shore up their offensive depth a bit, and while their third line has started to pick it up a bit, the consistency isn't there just yet.
So the team could look to a former Stanley Cup winner and standout for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tyler Johnson, a veteran center recently cleared waivers and according to NHL Insider Chris Johnston, will have his contract terminated.
Why Toronto Should Go After Tyler Johnson
There's no reason not to try and at least discuss the possibility with Johnson, and would give Toronto a third-line center on the cheap.
A former Stanley Cup winner with the Tampa Bay Lightning, he scored 161 goals and 200 assists in nine seasons with Tampa.
He then was trade to the Chicago Blackhawks for Brent Seabrook, and didn't have the same offensive outburst as he did with the Lightning.
He only played 149 games in his three seasons and scored only 32 goals and 38 assists in that span.
Signed on a PTO with the Bruins, he translated his play into a one-year deal but only managed two assists in nine games.
Also a great playoff producer, Johnson has 65 points in 116 games including a career-high 13 goals in the 2014-15 NHL playoffs.
While he has struggled with injuries and a much slower production, there's no denying the veteran leadership and depth he brings to the Leafs.
Not a big body, Johnson prefers to use his stick to disrupt opponents and adds a great faceoff taker as well.
A very cheap option for a team short on cap space, Johnson would be able to bring another winning veteran aboard and give the Maple Leafs another potential weapon to deal damage with.
Brad Treliving needs to act quickly though, as there is going to be no shortage of suitors for the new free agent, and he should do his best to persuade him to come back to the Atlantic, this time for a much better and prosperous team.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 20 | 909 ANSWERS Brad Treliving Must Act Quickly to Sign Former Stanley Cup Champion After Contract Termination Should Toronto attempt to sign Tyler Johnson? | ||
| Yes | 378 | 41.6 % |
| No | 531 | 58.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
