The deadline for qualifying restricted free agents comes at 5pm sharp today. For a Toronto Maple Leafs team looking to make significant changes, it is a chance to remove some dead weight from the contract list and an opportunity to bring in some new faces. Others are young players that the Maple Leafs want to see more of, and in the midst of that, a spectrum of potential Plan Bs, expensive arbitration cases, and players that could prosper under a new coach.

Here is the list of pending RFAs and a quick look at whether or not they should be qualified.

Andrae was a key piece in the Joseph Woll trade and was identified by John Chayka as someone that he wants to see more of. It is a virtual lock that Andrae will be qualified.

The Leafs and Nick Robertson have never been on easy terms. He wasn’t a fit under Sheldon Keefe. Robertson did a bit better under Craig Berube but never had his full trust. Robertson does produce offence and depending on who will be put on a line with him, he could finally reach the twenty-goal mark. If the Maple Leafs come up short on forwards in free agency, Robertson might once again be a good Plan B to keep around. If a trade materializes today, moving Robertson could make sense.

The late season push from Maccelli and the fact that he looked good on a line with William Nylander is a case for keeping Maccelli. His $4,110,000 qualifying offer might already be more than the Leafs want to spend on him. He might be someone for the Leafs to circle back to in unrestricted free agency rather than locking into him now. Like Robertson, an 11th-hour trade before the signing deadline would make sense.

The Leafs aren’t a team that can cast off too much centre depth, but Quillan didn’t show a whole lot at the NHL level last season in his limited run. He wouldn’t cost the Leafs a lot, and the Marlies could use him, so there is little harm in having him return, but this would be more of an AHL move.

A player picked up for Ryan Reaves isn’t going to have a lot of expectations on him but at one time Thrun seemed like he could be an NHL regular. If Jim Hiller likes his game, I’d say Thrun is worth keeping.

A strong AHL offensive defenceman with a lot to be desired defensively. That last part will be a big barrier to time in the NHL, and Andrae is another obstacle to ice time on the Maple Leafs. If he’s brought back, it would be for AHL purposes.

A strong AHL playoff run might be a case for keeping Tverberg around, but the path to the NHL just doesn’t seem to be there. If the player development department disagrees, maybe Tverberg will be brought back.

Kressler hasn’t moved past the ECHL level during his time with the Maple Leafs. It’s easy to pass on qualifying him.

Prokop spent more time in the Marlies press box than on the ice last season. At 25, the Maple Leafs likely feel like they’ve seen enough to know they will move on.

Goaltenders take longer to develop, and with question marks about what the Maple Leafs are intending to do with both the Leafs and Marlies goaltenders, maybe Peksa sticks around based on the work the goaltending department has already put in with him. In contrast, he’s spent a lot of time in the ECHL and his AHL numbers aren’t great. Peksa might just want to head back to Russia or see if there is a full-time AHL spot available with another organization if they give him a choice.

It doesn’t hurt to qualify any of these players. Der-Arguchintsev might be eying a return to North America. Topi Niemela is locked into a contract in Europe, and Roni Hirvonen looks to be returning to Karpat as well.

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