This is the time of year in the NHL when critical decisions about a free agent-to-be's future are made - either extensions are signed and the player doubles down with his current team, or trades are enacted and the player finds themselves with a new organization and fresh set of teammates to ingratiate himself to.
For the Toronto Maple Leafs and center Mike Santorelli, both options still remain very much in play.
Santorelli, the Leafs second-line center, is currently drawing interest from the team he played for last season, the Vancouver Canucks, according to a report from ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.
"Mike Santorelli, who scored his 10th goal of the season for the Leafs on Tuesday in Nashville, is generating nice interest, including from his former club in Vancouver, a source said. The Canucks have indicated to the Leafs that they'd be interested in a trade to bring Santorelli back to Van City," writes LeBrun.
Santorelli is a talented player but has struggled to stay healthy. Last season in Vancouver he managed only 49 games and he has played more than 60 games only once in his NHL career.
This year, in 52 games for the Leafs, he's got 10 goals and 18 assists, which already matches his output last season for the Canucks.
His current cap hit is only $1.5 million and he's a pending unrestricted free agent, making Santorelli an affordable piece that could add quality forward depth for the season's second half.
But Santorelli may not necessarily be destined for a new NHL destination, as he could also remain in Toronto with a contract extension, per LeBrun.
"However, a source told ESPN.com on Wednesday that the Leafs have reached out within the last little while to Santorelli's agent J.P. Barry to broach the discussion of an extension. If there's a fit, then perhaps Toronto signs him."
Any team that deals for Santorelli - or the Maple Leafs if they resign him - are taking a risk considering his lengthy injury history, but if he's able to stay healthy for the remainder of the season, he can add some serious offensive punch for a playoff push.
