Toronto Maple Leafs Top Off-Season Wish List: 5 Players to Target

Nov 27, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Chris Tanev (8) skates against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Canucks 3-2 in the overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Chris Tanev (8) skates against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Canucks 3-2 in the overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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Jason Demers

Age:  28

Current Team:  Florida Panthers

Contract:  $4.5 million for four more years.

Abilities:  demers is a 52% player over the last five seasons. He’s a puck moving defenseman who almost always has the shot-attempts going in his teams favor.   A right-handed shot, Demers would give the Toronto Maple Leafs an excellent partner for either Rielly or Gardiner without breaking the bank.

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Why he might be available: The Panthers made all sorts of good moves last summer, but they didn’t really pan out.  This was mostly due to injuries, but panic appears to have set in and architect of the move to an analytical approach, Tom Rowe, seems to have been moved out for a re-inserted Dale Tallon.

Demers didn’t exactly have the best season, and the Panthers may be open to making changes.  For the Leafs they’d be adding a serviceable puck-mover who would compliment their best players and has a track record of success.