Two RFAs The Leafs Should Be Kicking Tires On, and One Is a Brad Treliving Draft Pick

Adding Matias Maccelli in a June 30th trade and Dakota Joshua in a trade with Vancouver on Thursday, along with Nicolas Roy and some other minor additions, and the Leafs have a very different forward group.

Unfortunately, they have yet to find a top-six replacement for Mitch Marner. Part of Brad Treliving's plan was to dispurse Marner's salary throughout the lineup, which he has done so far, and while he is shopping David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok, Treliving should also be kicking tires on a pair of restricted free agents that would solidify the Leafs' top-six for years to come.

Both restricted free agents in mind are on Western Conference teams; Connor Zary of the Calgary Flames and Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks. Neither player appears to be close to signing, and both could be helpful for the Maple Leafs.

Zary, 23, was drafted by Treliving in the first round of the 2020 draft, so there is some familiarity, with Treliving knowing what he would be getting. At 6' and 180-pounds, Zary tallied 14 goals and 27 points in 54 games for Calgary last season. It doesn't appear as though the 23-year-old is available or looking for a change of scenery, but the same cannot be said for McTavish.

The Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta and Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek have suggested the 22-year-old is available with Pagnotta suggesting McTavish himself isn't overly pleased with how things have played out in Anaheim this off-season. The 6'1, 2018-pound forward is able to play the wing and center, and is not a UFA until 2029, he would be an ideal fit for the Leafs' top-six -- perhaps the best fit of any player available.

McTavish posted 22 goals and 52 points for the lowly Ducks last season, but with the additions of Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund as well as the emergence of Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, his role has significantly diminished and it appears he is heading towards the same fate as Trevor Zegras, who was traded earlier this summer.

The asking price would be high, likely costing a combination based around a top prospect like Easton Cowan or Ben Danford, plus draft picks and perhaps an NHL player. It seems unlikely, but it would be foolish of Treliving to not at least check in to learn the asking price if he hasn't already.