The biggest need for the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer is signing a capable second-line centre. John Tavares is not that guy anymore, but his $4.38M AAV deal means he can easily be moved down to the third line and feast on lesser competition.
Heading into the season, the free agent class looked juicy. Connor McDavid, Nick Schmaltz, Jack Eichel, etc., were all options. But basically all of them have signed extensions, meaning the best player left is probably Alex Tuch or Charlie Coyle.
And the old rival in Coyle is quietly having a career year in Columbus. The Toronto Maple Leafs need to sign him to solidify their top-six.
Why Coyle?
Coyle isn’t exactly the flashiest name, but he’s exactly what the Maple Leafs need if Tavares moves down to form an offensive third line. This year in Columbus, he’s starting 23% of his shifts in the defensive zone compared to just 13% in the offensive zone (47% of his shifts start on the fly), according to MoneyPuck. He’s been given a fairly defensive workload, yet still has 55 points in 71 games.
And even with his more defensive role, Columbus has a positive goal differential when he’s on the ice. His expected goal total is actually higher than his actual total—22 vs. 17—which means he has even more to give. He’s 34, but his play isn’t slowing down.
We all know Coyle from his Boston Bruin days. He’s a reliable, defensively responsible centre who will chip in 45–60 points depending on the season. That is exactly what the Leafs need, and have needed for quite some time.
He’s not another Nic Roy or Scott Laughton, who play defence but don’t score. Coyle is a bona fide 2C that the Leafs should absolutely sign.
What about Coyle’s contract?
Coyle also won’t break the bank. At least he shouldn’t.
He’ll be coming off a six-year deal with an AAV of $5.25M. Yes, he’ll be getting a raise, but it probably won’t be by too much. His comparables make similar numbers, and unless someone really bids the Leafs up, they have the cap space to sign him.
Joel Erikkson Ek, a very similar player to Coyle, is in the middle of a deal with a $5.25M AAV. Ryan McLeod was just given a four-year, $5M AAV deal last summer.
At most, Coyle’s deal should come in around $6.5–7M. The Leafs will have over $20M in room to play with this summer (barring any extensions given out beforehand) and need a creative retool. They should have no monetary issue getting Coyle–it will come down to their desire for the player and his desire to play in Toronto.
Exactly what the Leafs need
The Leafs want to be competitive again next year. It might not be the right move, but it’s what they want. To do so, they’ll need a real second line again, headed by a strong, two-way 2C. Charlie Coyle is exactly that.
The centre depth instantly becomes a strength if it includes Auston Matthews, Coyle, and Tavares. But they need Coyle to make it so. They cannot go into next year with Tavares as the second-line centre again.
There aren’t many high-end free agents this summer, but Coyle is the Leafs best bet, and the player that can take them back over the hump. If playoffs are the goal, Coyle is the guy.
Why should Coyle get a raise at 34 years old?!! Ryan McLeod is 26 and Joel Erikkson Ek is 29. Coyle will make the Leafs even older. It doesn’t matter how much the Leafs have to spend, every dime must always be used to the greatest effect.