Is Steven Stamkos the Toronto Maple Leafs only free agent option?

The first thing on everyone’s mind this off-season will start with Steven and end with Stamkos. He is the ultimate target and in theory the ultimate prize. He’s also incredibly expensive in an era where the cap will most likely shrink or stay dormant.

Hometown discounts always sound like an amazing idea, but how often do they really come to fruition? How many millions would you leave on the table? Like it or not the price will be around 10 million AAV(he turned down an offer in January that has an AAV tag of 8 million) and there might be more the Leafs can do for around that price tag.

Championship teams tend to be built around talent that the organization drafted(Toews, Crosby, Quick, etc) and additions to the core that have proven themselves with experience in the league. Very rarely, if ever, does a marquee free agent equal a championship run in today’s NHL. They take up too much of the cap space and don’t align with the prime ages of the core of the franchise.

If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to stick to the system that they have put in place, they need to find multiple veterans to help mold their incredible stock of draft picks and prospects. One superstar is great, but a few veterans in various roles throughout the lineup could prove much more effective in the long run.

Here are 3 options that could fit the Toronto Maple Leafs free agency beyond Stamkos.

1 Andrew Ladd Left Wing, $4.5 million (2016) A former Stanley Cup winner in his first run with the Blackhawks, Ladd has since helped Winnipeg through their growing pains by making an appearance in last year’s playoffs. Budget restraints forced the Jets to ship him to Chicago for a playoff run. But, having Ladd lineup on the left side of the top line, will only help bolster the Toronto Maple Leafs determination and experience when they finally earn their shot at a playoff run.

2 David Backes Centre, $4.5 million (2016) A gritty centre with plenty of playoff experience, Backes is another player that knows what it takes to not only get to the playoffs, but battle when you make it. Finishing with over 50 points in 5 out of 6 non-lockout seasons, David can also bring a nice scorer’s touch to the table, while not shying away from the physical game(963 Career PIM).

3 Keith Yandle Defence, $5.25 million (2016) After rising to fame with the Coyotes, Yandle participated in the second Conference Championship Series of his career last year with the New York Rangers. An offensive defenseman with incredible durability(he played over 400 consecutive games for the Coyotes), he would be an incredible influence on the defensive core of the current Leafs roster.

These are not perfect solutions to the problems that perennially are the Toronto Maple Leafs biggest. These are options that give you an idea of what can be done with this amount of money. The amount of money that you could use for two veteran leaders, or, to acquire Stamkos this summer. Or really any superstar through free agency.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have started down the right path, and although it may be a long one with no end in sight, it is the correct direction. On your journey to a cup, don’t get enamoured with a shot glass and lose your way.