Maple Leafs to target controversial free agent, rumour gets insider excited!

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has a point, that Toronto Maple Leafs fans might however dislike. In a shorter version of his 32 Thoughts column this week, Friedman reported that veteran forward Corey Perry is likely to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and test the market.

When the Tampa Bay Lightning was eliminated by Toronto and Perry was asked about a potential retirement, he said : “I’ve still got more in me. I still want to play. We’ll see where it goes over the next few weeks and then take it from there.”

There are doubts that he will get that opportunity in Tampa as the Lightning will potentially look at reshaping their roster, and Perry could be an interesting add to the Maple Leafs. As Friedman puts it:

“Looks like Corey Perry will be hitting the market. After all these years, do the Maple Leafs finally make it work? Think of the content.”

We get why Perry wants another shot at the championship before hanging up the skates. He became the first player in NHL history to lose three consecutive Stanley Cup Final while playing for three different teams.

Depending on what happens to the Maple Leafs this offseason with a new general manager and rumours of the core four getting dismantled, Perry could wait and see before coming to Toronto. But with what Friedman is writing, it sounds like the Leafs would be interested.

Perry is a former Hart Trophy winner in 2011 and is certainly on the back-nine of his career with 25 points in 81 games for Tampa this season. But his grit, passion and play in front of the net might be what’s needed in Toronto.

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