Maple Leafs & Oilers Won't Let Their RFAs Get Offer Sheeted

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers have two of the top RFAs this summer and they will be targeted by offer sheets if they can't be signed to deals. Both will be looking for their first big contract long-term and if it gets that far, many teams won't be afraid to offer them seven years at $9 million AAV+.

The Maple Leafs have to sign Matthew Knies and the Oilers have to sign Evan Bouchard. Both have had strong seasons and both have proven that they can step up in the playoffs. There will be an impact on both teams by signing them this offseason though.

Knies plays a physical game, is only 22 years old, fits well on the top line and top power play, and is only going to get better as he approaches his prime in a handful of years. It will be very difficult for Toronto to get Knies locked up long-term as well as bring back Mitch Marner. At this point, I don't think a ton of fans will be too heartbroken over losing Marner though as he is still going to be asking for a lot of money with his sub-par playoff performances year after year.

It can still be the core four, but subbing Knies in for Marner. That allows the Maple Leafs not to cut down on their depth and be forced to move players, resulting in poor depth for years to come.

As for the Oilers, Bouchard was given a little bridge deal to get through some tight cap years. Unfortunately, that didn't last longer, but he is worth what he is about to get on his next contract. Bouchard may have some errors in the defensive end, but he is an elite offensive talent and great overall when paired with the right defense partner.

Over the last three playoffs, Bouchard leads the way among defensemen with 14 goals and 61 points in 47 games. The next closest d-men are Miro Heiskanen with seven goals and 29 points in 39 games, Cale Makar with seven goals and 25 points in 24 games, and Brandon Montour with 11 goals and 24 points in 45 games. Bouchard is far atop the defensemen in the league when games matter the most.

The goal of both the Maple Leafs and Oilers is to win the Stanley Cup. These young RFAs give them a much better chance than whatever draft picks they get back in compensation or whatever extra money they have to pay them.