Welcome to the opening day of free agency, where the landscape of the NHL is set to change dramatically. With an influx of cap space, there are several teams looking to improve dramatically, by landing a few marquee players to change their roster. Here’s the catch: this is arguably the most depressed free agency class in recent memory. We highly recommend Daily Faceoff’s UFA board, a comprehensive list of all the players on the open market. There are few solid bets, and smart teams will have to exploit the market for what it’s worth.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka is armed with $20.9 million in cap space per PuckPedia. Chayka and the Maple Leafs may not be inclined to spend it all at once. Here are a few smart bets the Maple Leafs can make in a depressed free agency class.

Tolvanen would address a glaring need for the Maple Leafs, a middle-six forward with secondary scoring punch and upside. The 27-year-old recorded 12 goals and 36 points in 78 games with the Seattle Kraken last season, and would be a fit on Toronto’s third line, with the potential to move into a second-line role, when called upon. The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reported Tuesday that Tolvanen could be a clever fit for the Maple Leafs.

Toronto could pounce on a clever player, coming off a brutal year analytically. Seattle controlled a ghastly 37.5 percent of the expected goals at 5-on-5 when Tolvanen was on the ice last season, while posting a -15 rating. There could be a bet that Tolvanen’s terrible year was an aberration, as he posted plus-50 percent goal share at 5-on-5 during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. He has a cannon of a shot, and the Maple Leafs could staple him to a defensively responsible centre, if need be. If the Maple Leafs sign Tolvanen to a three-year deal worth $4 million per season or less, it could be a smart bet on an offensive-minded player who certainly fits into the team’s win-now window from an age perspective.

Blankenburg broke out for eight goals and 24 points in 61 games, split between the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche. He boasts the mobility that John Chayka is craving on Toronto’s revamped blue line. He can eat third-pairing minutes, control play and exit the zone with relative ease. The 28-year-old is looking for a pay raise, but he’d still be a relatively inexpensive option for the Maple Leafs, that is actively looking to become faster and more agile.

Here’s the catch: Blankenburg could be redundant on Toronto’s roster, with Emil Andrae carrying a similar player profile. It’s never a bad idea to bet on skill and speed on the blue line, and if the Maple Leafs continue to make trades, perhaps for Zach Werenski, there could be room for Blankenburg to bloom.

It would appear unlikely that Giroux would consider the Maple Leafs, but anything is indeed possible, and he could be swayed by Toronto’s potential return to contention. Giroux was dominant in the faceoff circle, winning 63.1 percent of his draws, and he could be placed on the wing rather easily. The 38-year-old is still considering a return to the Senators. Giroux can still add secondary offence, he’s a highly intelligent player that can be used interchangeably throughout the lineup, and will provide the Maple Leafs with another proven veteran. It would constitute a low-risk move on a proven commodity within Toronto’s bottom six. It may be improbable, but anything is possible on Canada Day!

Daily Faceoff is your Free Agency Headquarters! Big moves. Breaking news. Instant analysis. Daily Faceoff is bringing the team together July 1st for a live Free Agency Special featuring Jeff Marek, Tyler Yaremchuk, Carter Hutton, and Dave Pagnotta. Tune in at noon ET on the Daily Faceoff YouTube Channel and socials for full coverage as the NHL landscape changes – with the PuckPedia-powered signing tracker keeping you up to date on every deal as it happens.