When the Maple Leafs signed 25-year-old Clarke MacArthur it didn't exactly signal that their search for a top-six forward was finished. If anything, it seems like MacArthur was a back-up plan to not finding the player they wanted in a deal for Tomas Kaberle.It's not a knock against MacArthur, it's just that a career-high 35-point forward doesn't scream 'answer' to a team desperate for a top-six left-winger.
Before they acquired MacArthur the Maple Leafs made a small deal which sent forwards Stefano Giliati and Alex Berry to Tampa Bay for defender Matt Lashoff. Lashoff is an interesting addition give the defensive dept the Maple Leafs have, but he'll be a positive addition to the Marlies (given that's where he ends up). The deal opened up a contract spot so the Maple Leafs could add MacArthur the following day.
To his credit, MacArthur has increased his point totals each season and has been a consistent goal scorer over the last two seasons with 17 and 16 goals respectively while playing third line minutes. It's not a stretch to see MacArthur hit 20-goals this year if he sees a top-six role and power-play time with the Maple Leafs.
On a one-year term, and for 1.1m it isn't a huge issue if MacArthur doesn't work out. If he does, well then the Maple Leafs have a choice to keep him around or move him at the deadline. Unfortunately for a player like Luca Caputi this likely means he'll likely start the year with the farm team which isn't a bad spot for a young power-forward to develop (even if he's already had two strong years in the AHL).
Hanson close to a deal?
James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail tweets:
Leafs GM Brian Burke says there has been some progress on a deal for Christian Hanson. He believes he will be signed before training camp.Hanson seems like the ideal candidate to take a 4th line center spot this year. While he was a productive AHL forward, it doesn't seem as if Hanson has the natural ability to a be a top-six forward. With his size and skating ability he should be a good bottom-six banger. Although he may not be expected to score, he'll need to produce a bit more then he did last year scoring only 2 goals in 31 games.
