P.A. Parenteau – Toronto Maple Leafs – one year, $1.5 million cap hit
After a tough year in Montreal where Parenteau was often under-utilized and/or scratched by Michel Therrien, the Toronto Maple Leafs took a flyer on him last summer and it certainly paid off.
Parenteau has chipped in 18 goals and 37 points – his highest totals since 2012-13 with Colorado – in 68 games to date and has often been praised by Mike Babcock for his work ethic and the example he has set for the young players the Leafs are bringing along.
On top of solid point production Parenteau has also been strong in possession, and when Parenteau has been on the ice at 5 v 5, the Leafs have out scored their opposition. When you factor in they have a negative-34 goal differential that’s quite the feat.
The Leafs’ initial plan was to sign Parenteau while his value was low, build him up and sell high but, unfortunately for them, he suffered an injury prior to the deadline and they were unable to do just that.
Still, Parenteau has played very well and everyone in the organization frequently talk glowingly about him. Given how cheap it was to bring him in the signing has definitely paid off.