The Toronto Maple Leafs should target five free agent defensemen.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have added five defenseman to their primary roster for next season.
This offseason, general manager Brad Treliving will need to address at least two defensive positions, if not more.
We’ll have to wait and see if he fills those places through free agency or by calling up defensive prospects. His first objective right now is to find the Leafs a new head coach.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will have a plethora of free agent choices this summer. There’s a fair balance of offensive, puck-moving defensemen and hard-hitting defensive defenseman. Brad Treliving might target one of each. Fans should not be surprised if Treliving focuses on defensemen he already knows.
Let us hope Treliving finds a better defenseman than John Klingberg, whom he acquired last summer. The Klingberg signing proved to be a fiasco. Klingberg only benefited the team by allowing them to utilize his money on long-term injury reserve (LTIR). Treliving needs to win the jackpot this summer to alleviate the sorrow of last season.
Depending on the free-agent market on July 1st, the Leafs may only be able to sign one free-agent defenseman of his choice. If that’s the case, Treliving has a few choices with the Marlies to consider.
It will all depend on what the Leafs are specifically searching for. Hopefully, the Maple Leafs will have appointed their next head coach before free agency.
Brandon Montour
Brandon Montour might be the right-shooting defenseman for the Leafs’ top defense pairing, which has been required for years. He could be an ideal partner for Morgan Rielly. Montour possesses a variety of offensive skills and is a powerful striker. His only weakness is giveaways, which he hopes to mitigate by partnering with Rielly.
Sean Walker
Sean Walker, a 29-year-old right-shooting defenseman, might aid the Leafs’ top defensive pairing if Montour is unable to sign.
He could work well as Morgan Rielly’s defensive counterpart. Walker is a gifted offensive player who can also block shots and hit. His takeaways/giveaways ratio improved significantly this season, with 41 takeaways to 25 giveaways.
Nikita Zadorov
Nakita Zadorov, a 29-year-old left-shooting defenceman, might aid the Leafs by improving their second defense pairing.
He can play on either the right or left side. Zadorov plays an average of 18 minutes every night and uses his large frame to wear out his opponents. He is more of a stay-at-home defensive, thus it is best to pair him with a puck-moving defense partner.
Joel Edmundson
Joel Edmundson, a 30-year-old left-shooting defenceman, may provide the Leafs with valuable depth if none of the aforementioned defensemen are acquired.
He can play on either the right or left side. Edmundson plays 17 to 20 minutes each game and might be useful on the Leafs’ third defense pairing.
