Stanley Cup Champion Officially Linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs After Contract Termination
A new report links the Toronto Maple Leafs to a cheap veteran forward available to sign, that won't cost the team any departing players.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked heavily to multiple options to fill holes at forward via a trade. Popular names have emerged over the last few weeks of names that could be options for the Leafs, including Yanni Gourde of the Seattle Kraken and Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders most popularly.
A recent name that has also been rumored as a potential fit for the team includes Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Kuraly, with the 32-year-old Kuraly a possible middle-six depth option for Toronto
Having not yet secured a trade, it's unknown if Toronto will have the pieces to lure a big name such as Nelson or Gourde.
A new report adds a possible new name to the mix, and it's one that the Leafs won't need to make a trade for.
Report: Leafs In Mix For Top Free Agent Signing Available For Cheap
The Toronto Maple Leafs are being linked to forward Brandon Saad, who had his contract mutually terminated by the St. Louis Blues. According to David Pagnotta of 'The Fourth Period', Saad is a potential fit for Toronto.
For a team that has some depth and is looking to add more to it, he could be a fit.
So whether it's a team that's looking for some extra punch, like the Toronto Maple Leafs, that are going to look at a player and say he could be on a third line role on one of the wings, that could be an option for them at basically a $1M prorated contract is what it will come down to."
Saad cleared waivers yesterday, as none of the other 31 NHL teams wanted to take him on his current deal.
It was then announced that Saad and the Blues were working toward a mutual termination in order to let him play elsewhere.
Saad, 32, has seven goals and 16 points in 43 points this season for St. Louis.
Saad is a two-time Stanley Cup winner for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015, and has played in St. Louis since 2021, previously coached by now-Leafs head coach Craig Berube.
