3 UFA Forwards Who Could Play LW With Auston Matthews This Season

Toronto's cap problems are once again catching up to them. Reports that the Leafs and Hyman are not close in their contract negotiations suggest that the team will be forced to watch the player they acquired in exchange for Greg McKegg walk off to join another club. As such, the Leafs are going to be in the market for a top 6 LW. Here are three free agents who fit the bill.

Tomas Tatar

Tatar has had an unglamorous end to his time in Montreal. Despite putting up 30 points with the team this season, he has seen his ice time slashed to make way for young superstar Cole Caufield. Tatar's defensive game may leave a little to be desired (another reason why he hasn't seen much playoff time), but if you throw him on a line with Mitch Marner that becomes less of an issue. Meanwhile, Tatar's offensive instincts are still as sharp as ever, and his blend of playmaking smarts and goal-scoring sense would be a welcome addition to the Maple Leaf's top 6.

Blake Coleman

Coleman is on the verge of winning his second straight Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay. That type of experience should catch Kyle Dubas's eye, as should the spectacular way in which the Texas native scored the game-winning goal in Game 2 of this year's finals. Coleman is not the type of forward who will carry a team's offense, but he is a fantastic complementary player for a superstar like Matthews. He has speed, skill, a strong 2-way game, and the ability to score goals with a defender literally draped on top of him. Plus, he has playoff experience in spades, and more importantly, he has experience winning it all. The Leafs could use that type of guy in the room and on the ice.

Brandon Saad

Much like Coleman, Saad is not the type of player who can drive a team's scoring. What he can do is get himself into a strong position in front of the net and keep his stick down on the ice, sneak his way through defensemen to put himself on a breakaway, and receive a pass that doesn't spend too much time on his stick before it's headed towards the opposing team's net. He's essentially a discount Zach Hyman, with a bit more of a mean streak. As long as Saad's scoring can stay consistent, the Leafs could recover from the loss of Hyman without losing much of their offense as a result, and save themselves some money in the process.

Who do you think should be Matthews' LW this coming season?

Photo credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports