After my previous article yesterday regarding the Leafs' various options in terms of high calibre players in the free agent pool. I will now go on to list the lesser known players available this summer that I feel could have a great impact on our team and help us greatly to improve short term and long term.
Free Agent Option # 1 (Francois Beauchemin):
Now this 29 year old may be edging close to that age barrier but he's a guy you always want on your team. Many will doubt if he would sign with the Leafs anyways due to him growing up watching the Montreal Canadiens. I think if he gets past that idea, he could become a great player for the Leafs. He's a fantastic defenseman and could aid in replacing a traded defenseman if that's the route Brian Burke decides to go down. Beauchemin's stats are as follows....
Beauchemin (4 G, 1 A, 5 Pts, -3, 12 PIM) ** All of this in 20 Games played**
Yes those stats aren't impressive but as I stated above he only played 20 games this season due to injuries so he did fine for the amount of games he played. Obviously for a defenseman you would like to see that +/- a little higher, but he's not that bad of a defenseman in my opinion. Plus he has other assets that could help the Leafs big time, he has a fantastic shot from the point and has the grit and monstrosity to destroy anyone he encounters. Defintely a Burke type player and should be high on Burke's list to approach this summer. I would offer him 2-3 Million per year.
Free Agent Option # 2 (Travis Moen):
Yes, Another past Burke player but you have to admit Burke knows what players to get. Travis Moen is a great player to have in the team, he is a great character and definitely known as a terrific teammate to have around. Moen is a great left winger who can play on the third/fourth line, he also brings more grit to this team that we've definitely lacked. He's only 27 years old so he could be with the Leafs for a while if he signs. Moen's stats ....
Moen (7 G, 9 A, 16 Pts, -18, 91 PIM)
An atrocious +/- but all of his other characteristics on the ice make up for that and then some. He's a big bloke who can carry himself around and he loves throwing big checks all over the ice. A fantastic player to give minutes and let him destroy his opponents to change the tempo of a game. He is a renowned penalty killer and usually does his role with utmost of ease. I would love to sign him for 1-1.5 Million per year.
Free Agent Signing # 3 (Johnny Oduya):
This is one of the least appreciated players on the Devils, but he's a superb Dman and he does his job to a tee. This guy is definitely a Burke type player and I am sure Burke would love to get his signature on a contract with the Leafs as soon as possible, especially if Kaberle is heading out. Oduya is a big dman who can get the job done and as all the other options he adds this extra level of grit and belligerance. Oduya stats are as follows...
Oduya (7 G, 22 A, 29 Pts, +21, 30 PIM)
Now those are some stats, I would definitely take him ahead of Beauchemin and it really would be silly for the Devils to let him go in all honestly. He's a great teammate and rarely gets noticed which is a good thing for a Dman. He can lay some brusing checks even without being a monster, but he is all muscle and will get you out of the way or simply outskate you with his fantastic skating ability. I would definitely wrap him up for 1-2 Million if he's available.
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