Leafs linked to former team Canada captain in free agency

According to a report from Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Anaheim Ducks forward Maxime Comtois will NOT receive a qualifying offer from the team and will hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.

Already there are a ton of Toronto Maple Leafs fans and media personalities linking him to the club in free agency.

A word of caution though: Be careful.

The 24 year old Comtois looks to be an enticing player, but he has struggled mightily the past couple seasons. After a 16 goal and 33 point campaign in the pandemic shortened 2020-21 season, Comtois has regressed considerably. He managed just 19 points in 64 games last season and quite often took bad penalties that really hurt is club. 

Sure he's a former 2nd round pick with some Junior hockey pedigree, most notably as captain for Team Canada at the 2019 World Junior Championships, but he's not without baggage. There's a reason why the Ducks, a team actively looking for good young players, is walking away from Comtois.

Tread lightly.