Maple Leafs sign free agent Brad Boyes to tryout

Toronto Maple Leafs camp just got a little tougher. Veteran NHLer Brad Boyes has agreed to a professional tryout contract with the team.

Toronto, where veteran free agents go to try out.

The Maple Leafs have signed 33-year-old forward Brad Boyes to a professional tryout offer, Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston confirmed Thursday, making Boyes the third notable PTO who will attempt to crack the roster this month.

Boyes, a right wing whose previous deal carried a $2.625 million salary cap hit, was bought out by the Florida Panthers after the 2014-15 season, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Boyes’ buyout came as a surprise, as the shootout specialist chipped in 38 points and was a plus-11 player for a non-playoff club.

Sniping 44.8 per cent of his attempts, Boyes has an impressive 39 shootout goals, 12 of them game-deciders. Only Jonathan Toews (40) has more. (Of course, the introduction of 3-on-3 overtime this season should reduce the frequency of shootouts.)

Boyes will join fellow UFAs Curtis Glencross and Devin Setoguchi in what promises to be a competitive training camp.

In 762 career regular-season games, Boyes has registered 203 goals and 278 assists.

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