Leafs sign David Booth to a 1-year deal
Michael Amato
2014-07-23
The fantasy impact of the Maple Leafs signing David Booth
Fantasy Impact: The Toronto Maple Leafs signed forward David Booth to a one-year contract worth a reported $1.1 million.
The Leafs get: A once 30-goal scorer who struggled with injuries over the past few seasons. Booth has missed significant time over the last three campaigns, but when healthy, he has proven to be a 20-30 goal man.
It’s a low risk move for the Leafs, much like the Mason Raymond deal last year, which turned out pretty well. Booth should provide the bottom six with some much needed depth and could push the second line wingers in a best case scenario.
Fantasy players impacted:
Booth figures to start on the third line, if you assume line one is Kessel-Bozak-van Riemsdyk and line two is Lupul-Kadri-Clarkson. Although based on last year’s play Clarkson’s job is anything but safe, even though given his salary the Leafs would probably like him to step up and solidify his role. It would take something pretty special from Booth at this point to secure a second line spot, but it's not impossible.
It’s just a hunch at this point, but given Santorelli’s play last year I think he might get the first crack at the third line center role with Booth and maybe Frattin. Having Booth there should help his offensive numbers.
Fantasy players this helps, in order:
Booth
Santorelli
Fantasy players this hurts, in order:
Komarov
Ashton
Smith
Clarkson
Michael Amato is an Associate Editor for DobberHockey and a News Editor for theScore. You can follow him on Twitter at @amato_mike