The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Victor Mete and Jordie Benn on Thursday night, and last night signed Jarnkrok Street for a four-year contract.
It’s funny how many Toronto Maple Leafs fans hate these signings on social media, more specifically Mete.
While none of the players will win any prizes next year, they are in-depth additions to a Leafs team that is already among the best in hockey.
Mete is a young defender, small in size, but solid at both ends of the ice and is very good at moving the puck. He’s also from Woodbridge, ON, where the world’s most passionate Leafs fans reside, so you know he’ll work harder than ever to break the big club and not get stuck in the AHL.
Benn, on the other hand, is the exact missing player in Toronto, after Ilya Lyubushkin signed with the Buffalo Sabers.
The 34-year-old has a size and a physique, but most importantly, he arrives with a minimal league hit. It offers no offense, but is a perfect addition to a depth role.
These Toronto Maple Leafs signings should spark a trade
As mentioned earlier, when signing Jarnkrok, Mete and Benn, the Leafs now have nine NHL defenders as well as approximately 500 forwards.
The addition of Jarnkrok means the Leafs now have Engvall (still unsigned, but probably back), Kampf, Jarnkrok and probably Aube-Kubal occupying four of the seven places at the bottom of the Leafs lineup. There should be a lot of competition for the other three places, and that’s never bad.
The addition of Benn should mean the departure of Justin Holl, because you would save $ 1.25 million instantly in headspace, which can be used to sign Rasmus Sandin.
Also, by adding Mete, this may mean that Muzzin is also out the door. Muzzin’s $ 5.625 million could be more appropriate to acquire another striker from the top six or they could sign a better defense that is still available in free agency.
Maybe it’s John Klingberg, or maybe it’s a cheaper option like PK Subban, but Muzzin’s contract is too high based on his injury history. Unfortunately, he has been unreliable in the most important moments due to his health and Toronto could be better suited to find another player to replace him.
The signings of Benn and Mete are another example of Toronto using their cap space correctly and finding depth in the league minimum. Both players will go to fulfill their contracts and will be able to play the playoff minutes, when that time comes.
As a result, expect the Leafs to now swap Jake Muzzin or Justin Holl to clear the space for another renowned player.