Last trade deadline, the 30-year-old Winnik was dealt to Pittsburgh for a second round pick in 2016, which looks like it’s going back to Pittsburgh in the Phil Kessel trade (with conditions involved). That trade is essentially reversed here with the Leafs getting Winnik back out of unrestricted free agency.
Winnik was a strong play driver and an elevator player who moved up and down the lineup and did the job wherever asked last season. There was no other Leaf forward who consistently brought as effective of a north-south game to the ice. His night in, night-out honesty will be a valuable presence/example for a young team that isn’t going to be winning too many games next season.