The Toronto Maple Leafs have done well in the wake of Mitch Marner’s sign-and-trade to the Vegas Golden Knights.
It will be near impossible for any one player to replicate his 102-point output, but the Maple Leafs have bolstered their depth with additions such as Matias Maccelli, Nicolas Roy, and Dakota Joshua.
However, Toronto could still use some jam up front, and there are several attractive options on the market.
According to The Fourth Period, the Maple Leafs are reportedly linked to Florida Panthers right wing/center Evan Rodrigues.
Rodrigues, 32, has two years remaining at an annual value of $3 million. While that is a bargain for a player of his caliber, Florida is currently $3.725 million under the cap and will need to sacrifice someone.
Should Rodrigues become the Panthers’ cap casualty, Toronto should be among the first callers for his services.
He will not contribute more than 40 points or so (43, 39, 39, 32 over the past four seasons), but his versatility would be key. Rodrigues could excel on Auston Matthews’ or John Tavares’ wing, or pair up with Roy on the third line.
He is also littered with Panthers DNA and would bring that aggression and winning mentality to a franchise in desperate need of a Stanley Cup.
In terms of return, the Maple Leafs would likely not have to give up too much to acquire Rodrigues. Dealing with Florida general manager Bill Zito is a scary proposition for any front office, but Toronto would ultimately be doing them a favor by taking care of Rodrigues’ salary.
