Evan Rodrigues and the Leafs have had “productive talks” on a new contract

The deadline to qualify RFA is fast approaching, and it sounds like the Leafs will be keeping at least one of them around for the foreseeable future.

Evan Rodrigues, who was one of the pieces acquired in the Kasperi Kapanen trade, would likely slot into the bottom-six with the ability to play both the wing and centre position. Given that cap space is tight and Toronto may want to spend that money in other areas (if you catch my drift), a deal in the neighbourhood of around $1 million per year appears to be the likely resolution should the two parties agree to a new deal. Rodrigues is coming off a deal that had a $2 million AAV and it’s entirely possible he accepts a pay-cut to play for his hometown team.

The undrafted forward split time between the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins this past season, scoring a combined six goals, four assists, and 10 points in 45 games.

October 7th is the deadline for NHL teams to qualify their RFAs and the Leafs have six other players to take care of, including Ilya Mikheyev and Travis Dermott.