Babysitter for Jake Gardiner
Dec 6, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) with the puck as Vancouver Canucks right wing Linden Vey (7) defends at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Canucks 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
UPDATED: Leafs Sign Matt Hunwick to 1.2Mper 2year deal
Matt Hunwick could potentially slide into the Number 4 job, but realistically he is a bottom pairing Dman. He most likely pairs in with Marincin or Percy to hold down the bottom pairing.
Cody Franson – RD – 27Years Old – 7Goals 36Points
He’s big, he’s mean, he hits and he has a deadly half-clapper from the point allowing him to be a power play monster. Some skating issues, but he’s proven that with his active stick and solid positioning it isn’t usually an issue for him. Not an ideal babysitter for Gardiner, but they were a pairing 2 seasons ago and were the Leafs best down the stretch. All about the money for the Leafs here, if they can get him under 5.5M and under 5 years, then it is a great fit. Anything higher or longer is an overpayment and takes him out of being a fit for the team. Could be a good temporary top pair stop-gap until the Leafs can acquire or develop one of their own.
Honourable Mentions: Matt Bartkowski, Zybnek Michalek
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