The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to return to the playoffs this season following a disappointing finish to their 2023-24 campaign. Last season, they were defeated in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Bruins in seven games, and first-round exits appear to be a recurring pattern for the Maple Leafs, who have not won a Stanley Cup since 1967. With the recent announcement that forward Evgeny Kuznetsov had reached a mutual agreement with the Carolina Hurricanes to terminate his contract, speculation about where he might go next arose. There was a suggestion he could chose to join the Continental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia, according to a recent article.

Kuznetsov was sold from the Washington Capitals to the Hurricanes at the trade deadline last season in return for a draft selection. The Capitals had no further intentions for him and just offered him another chance with a contender that could give him some ice time. While the Hurricanes employed him well and the match appeared to be right, he chose to accept a mutual contract termination, walking away from millions of dollars in the hopes of finding a new home. In this essay, we’ll look at why Kuznetsov would be a good fit for the Maple Leafs and why he could be brought in as a rehab project.

While the Maple Leafs have a solid squad that could easily make the playoffs this season, they lack the depth of a true Stanley Cup contender. They made some excellent signings this offseason, bringing in Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to strengthen their defensive lineup, but they still have some flaws in their forward group. Their top six appear to be alright, but their bottom six are cause for concern. While he may need some time to acclimate and regain confidence, it is not impossible for Kuznetsov to play on one  the top two lines and produce well enough to return to his previous level in Washington.

Adding Kuznetsov allows the Maple Leafs to tinker with their lineup a little more. While Bobby McMann and Matthew Knies performed admirably last season, there is no assurance they will be able to replicate their success this season. It’s also risky to rely on two young players to keep performing at an elite level, and even more perilous to assume they’ll take a step up to a higher role. I believe in Knies and McMann, but adding Kuznetsov may provide them with a backup plan if the two slow down. It would also benefit if any injuries hampered their forward lineup, as they occur frequently in today’s NHL.

Another advantage to bringing in Kuznetsov is that it is unlikely to break the bank or have a significant impact on the pay cap. He would most likely ask for a one-season contract costing roughly $1 million. If that’s what he’s asking for, the Maple Leafs should be eager to sign him. If he intends to return to the NHL, there will undoubtedly be many teams interested. With that, the Maple Leafs should aim to do anything sooner rather than later.