Milan Lucic Confirms Reason why he refused to Join the Maple Leafs this Summer

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Tom Banks
August 1, 2023 (6:06 PM)

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After years spent with both Alberta teams, Milan Lucic once again hit free agency this off-season, and unsurprisingly, he went back to where it all began with the Boston Bruins.

Home again

Lucic started his NHL career with the Bruins way back in 2007, helping them to their lone cup of the 21st century, while also being the heart and soul of their physical team.

In those eight years, Lucic played in 566 games, racking up 139 goals and 342 points, and now he returns as a physical presence and likely fourth line player, but there was another playoff contender out East that showed interest.

Toronto Maple Leafs

On the latest Spittin Chiclets, Lucic revealed that he talked to former General Manager Brad Treliving with the Maple Leafs, and why he had to turn them down.

Yeah. I talked to Tre a little bit, obviously because I had Tre in Calgary there. So, he expressed some interest, and I was like, 'Yeah, it would be tough for me to be a Leafer, just because of the Boston connection.

Given his connections to Boston and the knowledge of that rivalry, it makes sense that Lucic would turn them down, and given how little he can contribute offensively at this point in his career, Boston was likely the best choice for him.

As Read on Maple Leafs Daily -
Milan Lucic confirms that he spoke with the Leafs, reveals why he turned down their offer on July 1st