The Toronto Maple Leafs should have no shortage of serviceable players to pursue on a PTO, as there are still some free agents available. If the Leafs invite any of these players to training camp in the autumn, they stand to gain nothing in the worst scenario.From now until the 2024–25 NHL season opens, the Toronto Maple Leafs will most likely keep making roster changes.

The free-agent excitement has mostly subsided as August approaches in the summer. Because of this circumstance, unsigned free agents’ chances of landing a job this next season will get harder and worse. Although organisations such as the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to seek replacements at different positions, the chance of receiving a substantial salary has essentially passed.

In light of this, the Leafs, just like any other team, have the opportunity to think about sending players to camp under a Professional Try Out (PTO) arrangement. PTOs are fantastic because they provide players and teams the chance to see if they click.

Both parties lose out if things don’t work out. Therefore, the Leafs ought to review the roster of unrestricted free agents and determine which individuals would be advantageous to the team in the forthcoming campaign.

The best thing is that, if a player is signed on a PTO, you will likely be able to get them at a significantly reduced price—possibly even at league minimum. Let’s now examine three PTO prospects that the Toronto Maple Leafs ought to give serious thought to for the forthcoming campaign.

The Toronto Maple Leafs should think about these three PTO candidates.Van Riemsdyk James

Some fans are probably rolling their eyes at this idea. However, with more consideration, JVR might be a reliable depth scorer for the Leafs. JVR scored 38 points and 11 goals in 71 games during the previous campaign. Even though he was mostly a bottom-six player with the Boston Bruins, JVR demonstrated that he was still a capable NHL player.

Nevertheless, JVR might be a useful third-line option for the Leafs. With his strong net-front presence, he might assist on the second powerplay unit and contribute depth scoring. The season-long expense to retain JVR would be in the neighbourhood of $1 million, if not less than the league minimum. By asking JVR to camp, the Leafs gain nothing, and who knows? Maybe a reunion with JVR will be fruitful.

Shattenkirk is older than JVR, but he could still be useful. Last season, Shattenkirk had 24 points while playing for the Boston Bruins. Considering that he is currently virtually a bottom-pairing defenseman, it’s not too awful.

Shattenkirk’s addition would be akin to what the Leafs accomplished with Mark Giordano. However, considering the anticipated $1.05 million cap impact from PuckPedia, it makes sense to investigate Shattenkirk. He could prove to be far more skilled than Giordano.

Shattenkirk might be a reliable bottom-pairing option if the Toronto Maple Leafs lose Timothy Liljegren, but it may be a reach to expect him to be the puck-moving, powerplay specialist he once was. Blake Wheeler

Wheeler’s 2018 campaign wasn’t easy. Due to his limited playing time due to injuries, he was essentially useless for the New York Rangers. Wheeler nevertheless generated 21 points. Considering his bottom-six role, 21 points is a respectable output for his age.

Wheeler is especially appealing because of his expertise and league-minimum cap hit.Wheeler is projected by PuckPedia to make roughly $800K a season. That’s not too horrible, particularly if he consents to camp out on paid time off.