*This archive was originally written in June 2023
With NHL free agency opening in less than 10 days, all 32 NHL teams will be in preparation mode. Before that, the 2023 NHL Draft will take place on June, 28 and 29, 2023, where the general managers (GM) of each organization will hope to find future centrepieces for their club. However, most contenders will try and add that key piece through free agency to help their team immediately, and sometimes it works out.
Contending clubs typically take a chance on support players on the open market, and often, it looks like a steal. This has happened many times for the Toronto Maple Leafs, especially during the Auston Matthews era, when former GM Kyle Dubas signed low-risk, high-reward players like David Kampf.
Related: Top 3 Worst Free Agent Signings in Maple Leafs History
This article is the second of two parts that look at the best and worst Maple Leafs signings. These are the three best in franchise history.
Curtis Joseph
The Maple Leafs’ “Cujo” or Curtis Joseph, who was and still is adored by Leafs Nation, became one of the team’s most cherished players. In 1998, the team signed him to a four-year deal worth $24 million, which was a high price for a goalie. He joined Glen Healy and Felix Potvin, but in his first season with the team, he assumed the starting job and played in 67 games. He had a 35-24-7 record with a 2.56 goals-against average (GAA) and a .910 save percentage (SV%). He finished second in Vezina Trophy voting and fourth in Hart Trophy (MVP) voting in his first season.
During his four-year stint with the Maple Leafs, Joseph appeared in 249 games with a 133-88-27 record. He was in the award race each year of his contract. In 1999-2000, he won the King Clancy Trophy (awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities) and finished third in Vezina Trophy voting. In 2000-01 and 2001-02, he finished eighth and tenth in Vezina voting, respectively.
He was traded to the Calgary Flames at the conclusion of his contract in June 2002 in exchange for a 2003 third-round pick, which was ultimately traded to the Minnesota Wild. Joseph did return to the Maple Leafs as a free agent again in 2008, as a 41-year-old. This time, he became the backup, appearing in 21 games, but only started 11 of them; his record was 5-9-1.
Borje Salming
The late great Borje Salming is the best defenceman to ever lace up skates for the Maple Leafs. It…
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