Talks between the Leafs and RFA forward Evan Rodrigues labelled 'productive'

The Maple Leafs have addressed a few needs this offseason thus far, including a pair of intelligent hirings behind the bench in the form of new assistant coaches Manny Malhotra and Paul MacLean in addition to the Kasperi Kapanen deal, which bought the Leafs some much needed cap space, prospect Filip Hallander and a 1st round draft pick.

There was another piece in the Kapanen deal, however, that may also provide some value to the organization. That piece is RFA forward Evan Rodrigues.

According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the 27-year-old and his camp have made some progress during talks with Leafs GM Kyle Dubas. Whether those talks can be parlayed into a contract to keep Rodrigues in Toronto is still unknown, but LeBrun suggests that the most important detail in these negotiations would be whether Rodrigues is amenable to signing for less than the $2M AAV it would take in order to qualify him.

The Toronto native went undrafted, but was able to find his own path to the pro level through his performance at the college level, earning some interest from NHL teams, including the Buffalo Sabres, who inked the then 22-year-old to a two-year ELC worth $1.85M beginning in the 2015-16 season.

Due to a promising start in Buffalo, Rodrigues was ultimately extended for two more seasons. At the conclusion of his sophomore deal, Rodrigues signed a 1-year, $2M contract with the Sabres, but after registering just 9 points in 38 games in 2019-20, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he would add just 1 point in 7 appearances with the Pens.

If the Leafs and Rodrigues cannot come to terms on a new deal by Oct 7th, then the former Sabre and Penguin will become a UFA and will have the ability to sign with any team who mighr express some interest.

Rodrigues' most productive season came in 2017-18, when he tallied 25 points across 48 games, though his career highs in both goals and points came a year later in 2018-19, albeit in 74 games played. If he can replicate this sort of production in a bottom-6 role for the Leafs, the winger could prove to be an asset, providing the Leafs with some much needed depth throughout the season and in the playoffs, should they find their way back in the hunt in 2020-21.

MUST READ

Feb 28  |  By Tom Banks Vancouver Canucks' Contract Offer to Brock Boeser Leaks Publicly

Feb 28  |  By Tom Banks Montreal Canadiens Star Undergoes Season-Ending Knee Surgery

Feb 28  |  By Daniel Lucente Philadelphia Flyers Officially Looking to Trade Former 39-Goal Scorer

Feb 28  |  By Daniel Lucente Evander Kane May Be in His Final Days in Edmonton After Friedman Reveals New Information

Feb 28  |  By Maple Leafs Forward Pulls Back Trade Request

Feb 27  |  By Brad Marchand Goes Viral for Passionate Video Ahead of Four Nations Faceoff Final

Feb 27  |  By David Pastrnak's Latest Comments Suggest Bruins Will Be Big Sellers at the Deadline

Feb 27  |  By Julien Trekker 6-Foot-6 Winger Linked to the New York Rangers at the Trade Deadline

MORE STORIES