The Toronto Maple Leafs saw a potential free agent target go off the board on August 8.
The Maple Leafs have been active this offseason, but could still use an upgrade in their top-six. One potential free agent was Joel Kiviranta, who remained a free agent despite a successful season.
However, the Colorado Avalanche announced they re-signed Kiviranta to a one-year, $1.25 million deal.
“Joel is a hard-working, responsible player who has demonstrated he can be a key contributor at five-on-five,” said Avalanche General Manager Chris MacFarland in a statement. “He has been a valuable member of our lineup, and we are excited to have him back for another season.”
Kiviranta earned $775,000 with the Avalanche last season. With Colorado, he recorded 16 goals and 7 assists for 23 points in 79 games. It was career highs for Kiviranta in all three stats, as he should be a good third-line player for the Avalanche.
Maple Should Were Linked to Kiviranta
As the Maple Leafs were looking for some more scoring, Cole Shelton of Heavy.com linked Toronto to signing Kiviranta.
“Although the top names in free agency have all signed, there are still some good NHL players available,” Shelton wrote. “With the Maple Leafs still needing a top-six winger to help replace the offense of Mitch Marner, Toronto should look to sign Joel Kiviranta to fill that hole.
“Kiviranta is arguably the best free agent available, and his still being unsigned is a bit of a surprise. Given that he’s unsigned, the Maple Leafs could offer Kiviranta a one-year deal worth around $1 million,” Shelton added.
The Maple Leafs are projected to start Bobby McMann at second-line left winger and Kiviranta could have added some comeptiton after McMann’s horrible playoff.
“Ultimately, at this stage of the offseason, Kiviranta could be a low-risk, high-reward signing. He has the upside of being a top-six forward and adding some secondary scoring to the lineup,” Shelton added…
“He’s an undrafted free agent who’s known for his work ethic. So, he would be a hard worker looking to earn a top-six role with the Maple Leafs,” Shelton wrote. “The 29-year-old has also appeared in 51 playoff games. In his playoff career, he recorded 7 goals and 7 assists for 14 points. So he would add experience to the lineup.”
Kiviranta was also a fan-favorite with the Avalanche and would have been a potential high-reward signing.
Maple Leafs Still Looking for Help on Forward
The Maple Leafs have been active this offseason addign more depth to their forward group.
Toronto added Mattias Maccelli, Nic Roy, Dakota Joshua, and Michael Pezzetta to add depth to their bottom-six, while Maccelli could be on the top line.
Yet, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving revealed Toronto is still looking to add more offense to the lineup.
“When a player of Mitch’s magnitude moves away, that’s never a fun day… In a situation where a player was walking away this morning for nothing, we were able to recoup a player that fits a need for us… Mitch was a top-six forward, and we haven’t replaced that hole,” Treliving said on July 1. “That’s really where our focus is.”
The Maple Leafs have just under $2 million in cap space.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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