You can’t call really them the Magnificent Seven, so how about the Cost Efficient Seven?
In one of the biggest mass-signing days in recent memory (some deals were previously reported), the Maple Leafs confirmed Wednesday that six unrestricted free-agent forwards and one defenceman were coming aboard to help at the NHL and AHL level.
Aware of how tight they are to the NHL salary cap and with Mitch Marner not yet in the fold, the signings were at or just above the NHL’s minimum wage of $700,000 US a season, and none of the deals for more than two years.
Fourth-line energy forward Kenny Agostino, who reportedly agreed to terms back on July 1, officially crossed over from the rival Montreal Canadiens. Left winger Garrett Wilson, who was with Pittsburgh, will also contend for a bottom-six forward role.
The Leafs also scooped a former second-round draft pick in Pontus Aberg, hoping to get the version of the Swedish winger who scored 19 points in 37 games for Anaheim last year before a trade to Minnesota. Finnish winger Kalle Kossila, who excited with a 21-goal year on the farm for the Ducks, will also be coming in, famous for a lacrosse-style back-door goal move.
Usually, North American players go to the KHL as a last resort, but forward Nick Shore’s 21 points in 43 games with Magnitogorsk has him pumped to try the NHL again.
The only defenceman of the septet is a big one, 6-foot-4 Kevin Gravel, who spent the equivalent of a half season with the Oilers last year. On Tuesday, when they announced the trade of back-up goalie Garret Sparks to Vegas, the Leafs signed veteran Michal Neuvirth to a PTO contract.
A look at the new Leafs:
RW/LW Pontus Aberg
Age/Birthplace: 25, Stockholm Sweden
Drafted: 2012, 2nd Rd., 37th overall by Nashville
Contract: One year, AAV $700,000 US
NHL Numbers: 127 regular season games, 17 goals, 26 assists, 43 points
NHL Teams: Minnesota, Anaheim, Edmonton, Nashville
Did You Know?: Teammates have used a twist on his first name to dub him ‘The Pope’.
C Nick Shore
Age/Birthplace: 26, Denver, Col.
Drafted: 2011, 3rd Rd., 82nd overall by Los Angeles
Contract: One year, AAV $750,000 US
NHL Numbers: 236 GP, 15-38-53
NHL Teams: Calgary, Ottawa, Los Angeles
Did You Know: Nick and brothers Drew and Quentin all played at the University of Denver where current Leaf Trevor Moore attended.
LW Kenny Agostino
Age/Birthplace: 27, Morristown N.J.
Drafted: 2010, 5th Rd., 140th overall by Pittsburgh
Contract: Two years, AAV $737,500 US
NHL Numbers: 85 GP, 8-22-30,
NHL Teams: New Jersey, Montreal, Boston, St. Louis, Calgary,
Did You Know: Majored in political science at Yale as the course load was most conducive to his NCAA hockey schedule.
LW Kalle Kossila
Age/Birthplace: 26, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
Drafted: Free agent signed with Anaheim 2016
Contract: Two years, two-way AAV $700,000 US
NHL Numbers: 19 GP, 2-1-3
NHL Teams: Anaheim
Did You Know: Holds Finnish and French citizenship. The Paris suburb where he was born was home to ex-pats Quincy Jones, Bette Davis and the Duke of Windsor.
C Tyler Gaudet
Age/Birthplace 26, Hamilton, Ont.
Drafted: Free agent signed with Arizona in 2013.
Contract: One year, two-way AAV $700,000 US
NHL Numbers: 20 GP, 1-3-4
NHL Teams: Arizona
Did You Know: Played on the 2011-12 Pembroke Lumber Kings, coached by current Marlie boss Sheldon Keefe.
LW Garrett Wilson
Age/Birthplace 28/Barrie, Ont.
Drafted: 2009, 4th Rd., 107th overall by Florida
Contract: One year AAV $725,000 US
NHL Numbers: 84 GP, 2-6-8
NHL Teams: Pittsburgh, Florida
Did You Know: Has captained the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack and AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton Penguins.
D Kevin Gravel
Age/Birthplace: 27/Kingsford, Mich.
Drafted: 2010, 5th Rd., 148th overall by Los Angeles
Contract: One year AAV $700,000 US
NHL Numbers: 106 GP, 1-12-13
NHL Teams: Edmonton, Los Angeles
Did you know: Selected right after the Canadiens picked F Brendan Gallagher and in the same round as new teammate Agostino.
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