'We Had Discussions’: Justin Williams Reveals How Close He Was to Joining the Maple Leafs

Williams looks back on his career, saying he would've liked to have played for a Canadian team. During that last crack at free agency, at 38 years old, he says signing with the Maple Leafs could've happened.

"Right when I semi-retired a little bit, I had thought about it. We had discussions. It just didn't happen," Williams told Bunkis. 

"When I look back on my career, yes, I would've perhaps liked to have played for a Canadian team, that's for sure. It didn't happen, I'm not losing any sleep over it but I think it's something, it's not for everybody, but it's something everybody should experience playing for a Canadian team."

Williams wound up signing a one-year, $2 million deal with the Carolina Hurricanes in Jan. 2020, a team he had already spent parts of six seasons with. That was the final contract of his career, and although things didn't work out with a Canadian team, the Cobourg, Ontario native has no regrets.

"There's discussions all the time that happen and it just didn't come to fruition and that's fine. I don't look back with any regrets, but playing for a Canadian team would've been nice."

Williams finished his career with 797 points in 1264 regular season games, split between the Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, and Philadelphia Flyers.

A three-time Stanley Cup champion, Williams also has seven goals in game sevens throughout his playoff career, which is tied for the most-ever in the NHL alongside Glenn Anderson. Williams played a total of 162 playoff games between the Kings, Capitals, Hurricanes, and Flyers, scoring 41 goals and 61 assists.