The Toronto Maple Leafs have set their sights on bringing back the seasoned forward Noel Acciari, as rumors of their interest continue to swirl. In the coming weeks, discussions between the team and Acciari are expected to take place, allowing newly appointed general manager Brad Treliving to assess the financial expectations of the talented center. With the free-agent market offering limited options and Acciari poised to generate significant demand, it would be a prudent move for him to wait until July to sign a deal.
However, if the Leafs fail to secure an extension with Acciari, there are three teams that are ready to aggressively pursue the skilled forward, intensifying the race for his services:
A highly anticipated showdown between the Maple Leafs and Penguins could unfold this summer, as Kyle Dubas and company look to retain Acciari while Pittsburgh aims to bolster their roster with a third-line center. Dubas has long been interested in acquiring Acciari's services and finally succeeded in bringing him to Toronto last season. Will Pittsburgh be the next stop on Acciari's journey?
Among the teams in search of a right-handed third-line center, the Oilers have expressed a keen interest in Acciari's talents. With 23 points in 77 games split between the Leafs and the St. Louis Blues last season, Acciari showcased his abilities, further piquing Edmonton's curiosity. His well-rounded game and exceptional work ethic make him an enticing target for the Oilers, and pursuing this acquisition would be a prudent move for their franchise.
Having faced Acciari while he was with the Blues, the Colorado Avalanche are well-acquainted with his skill set and see the potential value he brings to their center depth. Adding Acciari to their lineup would inject a fresh dynamic into their bottom six forwards, making them an even more formidable team to contend with. Given their comfortable salary cap situation, the Avalanche may be in a prime position to extend an enticing contract offer to the 31-year-old forward.
