Report: Leafs made pitch to Justin Williams, Bruins also inquired

Justin Williams' market is starting to heat up.

The Toronto Maple Leafs recently made a pitch to the free-agent forward, and the Boston Bruins have also inquired about the services of the three-time Stanley Cup champion, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

A return to the Carolina Hurricanes remains Williams' priority, LeBrun added. Williams' camp and the Hurricanes reportedly continue to work on a deal, but the rules pertaining to contracts for players aged 35 and over, salary bonuses, and Carolina's cap situation are complicating matters.

Williams, 38, captained the Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference Final last season but has spent the 2019-20 campaign mulling his future. He remained productive last season, tallying 23 goals and 30 assists in 82 games.

Like the Hurricanes, the Leafs and Bruins face significant cap crunches and would need to get creative in order to sign Williams.

Signing with Toronto would give Williams, a native of Cobourg, Ontario, a chance to play for his hometown team. The Bruins, who have beaten the Maple Leafs in the opening round of the postseason in back-to-back campaigns, eliminated Williams' Hurricanes last season to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

The Bruins, Leafs, and Hurricanes rank second, fifth, and seventh, respectively, in the Eastern Conference standings.