Leafs’ Dubas goes after new targets for boost up front

The Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly met with forward Nick Ritchie on Thursday, per Frank Seravalli of Daily Face-off. Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas might be going after this new target to boost the offense up front after Ritchie did not received a qualifying offer from the Boston Bruins, making him an unrestricted free agent.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, there’s “a lot of interest” of Ritchie, who came to the Bruins at the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline in a one-for-one trade for Danton Heinen. 

Ritchie is the only Bruin who played all 56 games this past season, posting 15 goals with 11 assists in a middle six role.

While the New York Rangers might also be interested in Ritchie, it looks like Dubas might have also targeted another free agent. Seravalli believes that former Montreal Canadiens Tomas Tatar could be a fit in Toronto. 

“Toronto is a team that still has a little bit of cap space left, I think they were one of the teams that was interested in Tatar on a shorter money deal. I don’t know if he’ll end up going there, but I think he’ll be a decent fit.”

He scored 30 points in 50 games this season, but was often a healthy scratch in the last games of the regular calendar, most importantly during the postseason. 

A change of scenery a few hours away might be what is best for Tuna. 

Let’s keep an eye on this.