Analyst Urges Maple Leafs To Sign 'Best Remaining Free Agent'

It took a minute for NHL analyst Tyler Ball of The Hockey Patrol to urge the Toronto Maple Leafs to hit while the iron is hot and submit a contract offer to a recently cut player by another franchise.

Ball believes the Leafs should seize the opportunity and sign 905-game veteran Ryan Johansen after the Philadelphia Flyers placed the veteran forward on waivers, aiming to terminate his contract due to a "material breach" of the deal's terms.

“If the Toronto Maple Leafs can bring in Ryan Johansen on a player tryout or cheap contract, he could be a great addition,” Ball wrote.

With Johansen set to become a free agent, Ball believes he could be a valuable addition to the Leafs' roster, particularly as a third-line center.

"At his peak with the Nashville Predators, Ryan Johansen was a 50 to 60-point player playing second-line minutes," Ball added. "However, injuries over the last two seasons have derailed his production."

Johansen, who recorded 13 goals and 10 assists in 63 games with the Colorado Avalanche last season, could still offer value to a team like the Maple Leafs.

Ball believes Johansen is "one of the best remaining free agents on the market,” and thus makes for a prime target for the Leafs.

“If the Toronto Maple Leafs still feel the need to upgrade their third-line center spot, a call could be made to his agent in short order,” Ball wrote.

This could be a highly controversial addition, however, considering Johansen’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, has publicly contested the Flyers’ actions, stating that his client will file a grievance through the NHLPA to protect his rights.

“Ryan Johansen has a severe hockey injury that requires extensive surgery... The Flyers’ attempt to terminate Ryan’s contract is disappointing,” Overhardt wrote on X following the Flyers' move.

Related: Flyers Waive 900-Game Veteran, Generate Instant Controversy