The deadline has passed for restricted free agents to receive qualifying offers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have seemingly walked away from three players.
The #Leafs have extended qualifying offers to 4 players: G Garret Sparks, D Justin Holl and forwards Connor Brown and Zach Hyman. #TMLtalk
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) June 26, 2017
Toronto Maple Leafs Submit Qualifying Offers, Walk Away from Four
On Monday, the Maple Leafs submitted qualifying offers to Connor Brown, Zach Hyman, Justin Holl and Garret Sparks. Heading to free agency are Antoine Bibeau, Seth Griffith, and Sergey Kalinin.
Connor Brown
Connor Brown played all 82 games with the Maple Leafs. The 23-year-old tallied an impressive 20 goals and 36 points in his rookie season, often playing alongside Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov. Brown has had an impressive climb in the Leafs organization since being selected in the sixth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Since his selection, Brown has led the OHL in scoring, lead the AHL in rookie scoring, and cemented his place in the Leafs lineup. He was a lock to receive a qualifying offer.
Zach Hyman
Zach Hyman also played all 82 games with the Maple Leafs, primarily on Auston Matthews‘ left wing. Playing a key role on the penalty kill, Hyman recorded ten goals and 28 points in his rookie season. An older rookie at 25 after playing four years at the University of Michigan, Hyman was another lock to receive a qualifying offer. He was acquired in the summer of 2015, after informing the Florida Panthers he would not sign with them. Toronto was able to acquire him for just Greg McKegg and a conditional draft pick.
Garret Sparks
Garret Sparks, although not playing with the Leafs in 2016-17, was also a guarantee to receive a qualifying offer, due to the recent expansion draft. Sparks receiving a QO meant the Leafs met the one exposed goaltender requirement. Regardless, Sparks has proven to be a premier American Hockey League goaltender in the past two seasons. The 23-year-old had a 2.16 GAA and a .922 SV% in 2016-17 with the Marlies.
The previous year, Sparks was called up and played 17 games with the Leafs en route to finishing last in the National Hockey League. Sparks shutout the Edmonton Oilers in his NHL debut, becoming the first Toronto goaltender to do so. Afterwards, things went south. Sparks picked up an injury that affected his play, leading to a 3.02 GAA and a .893 SV%. However, Sparks’ play in the AHL should be noted and he could push for time as a backup to Frederik Andersen next season.
Justin Holl
Justin Holl was the darling of the Marlies two years ago. He received an NHL contract after an impressive showing in 2015-16. Holl, a right shot defenceman, was a very important piece for the Marlies this season. Lacking players on the right side, Holl was a valuable member of the Marlies, playing 72 games.
Antoine Bibeau
Antoine Bibeau’s inconsistency is the reason why the Leafs are moving on. At 23, Bibeau has played three seasons for the Marlies. After graduating from the QMJHL, Bibeau beat out the previously mentioned Garret Sparks for the backup job on the Marlies in 2014-15. His professional career started well, finishing with a 2.69 GAA and a .913 SV% in 31 games. Since that rookie season, his play has diminished. The following year his inconsistencies led to Sparks becoming the starter, only to take the job back when he was called up. Bibeau held the job into the playoffs, but the streaky netminder could not find any consistency. In 2016-17, Bibeau played 32 games, finishing with a 3.08 GAA and a .894 SV%. He did make his NHL debut, however, playing in two games with the Leafs, only allowing four goals.
Seth Griffith
Seth Griffith was claimed off of waivers to start the year, but could never find a place in the Leafs lineup. He was claimed off of waivers by the Florida Panthers, where he played 21 games up and down the lineup. Griffith only tallied five assists and was placed on waivers again, being re-claimed by the Leafs. Upon joining the AHL, Griffith went back to his elite scoring ways. Griffith’s 44 points in 38 games helped propel the Marlies into the playoffs, where he would score nine points in 11 games. Griffith is a proven AHL scorer that has yet to translate to the NHL. At 24, his time to prove it is running out. As such, the Leafs have not used an SPC on Griffith, likely hoping to bring him back on an AHL contract.
Sergey Kalinin
Sergey Kalinin was acquired just prior to the NHL Trade Deadline this season. Sent to New Jersey in the one-for-one swap was Viktor Loov. Kalinin was simply a Marlies addition to help them in their pursuit of the Calder Cup playoffs. A depth piece, Kalinin only recorded four points in 19 games after a disappointing year in New Jersey. It was very unlikely the 26-year-old Russian would receive a qualifying offer from Toronto. There are rumours the native of Omsk is headed to SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL, as his rights were traded to the Russian giants fairly recently.
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