Ranking Toronto Maple Leafs' 3 biggest free agency misses

NHL free agency is a massive part of building rosters as teams can sign star players or goalies who could prove to be the missing piece. Sometimes teams make the wrong decision and sign players who don't perform well or pay them too much money.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been one of those teams who have made some key mistakes in free agency. Here are their three biggest free agency misses.

3 biggest free agency misses by the Toronto Maple Leafs

#3. Patrick Marleau

In 2017, the Toronto Maple Leafs were looking to add some veteran leaders to help out the young core of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander.

With Toronto wanting a veteran presence, Lou Lamoriello signed Patrick Marleau to a three-year deal worth $6.25 million per year. Marleau was 38 at the time and many analysts were critical of the money and length of the contract.

After two years, Toronto was forced to trade Marleau along with a first-round pick to Carolina for a sixth-round pick to get rid of his salary. That first-round pick ended up being used to select Seth Jarvis who is one of the top players on the Hurricanes.

#2. Mike Komisarek

In 2009, the Toronto Maple Leafs desperately needed help on defense and Brian Burke went out and signed former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Komisarek to a five-year deal worth $4.3 million per season.

Komisarek joined Toronto with some injury concerns and he had a season-ending shoulder injury in the first year. He then never truly recovered and spent the next three years either injured or in the minors.

With one more year left on the deal, Toronto opted to buy out Komisarek's contract as he never lived up to the deal.

#1. David Clarkson

David Clarkson was the top free agent available in a rather weak 2013 class. The grinder ended up signing a seven-year deal worth $5.25 million per season.

Clarkson was mostly a depth forward in his NHL career who played on the third or fourth line. But, New Jersey put him on the top line and he recorded 30 goals, and then in the lockout-shortened year, he had 15 goals in 48 games.

Toronto signed him to be a top-six forward which he never was. Clarkson had just five goals in 60 games his first season and only spent two years with the Maple Leafs. He had 15 goals and 26 points in his two seasons with Toronto who traded him to the Columbus Blue Jackets.