Toronto Maple Leafs: Buying a Bought-Out Defenseman

Toronto Maple Leafs: Should they take advantage of buy-out casualties?

The Toronto Maple Leafs have submitted their expansion protected list with no surprises. While the Leafs made no pre-expansion deals for a defenceman there are now some freebies available. The Leafs are looking to upgrade their defence. . Dan Girardi is the first casualty followed by Francois Beauchemin. Anaheim has added to the list with the buy-out of Simon Despers.

While Toronto Maple Leafs fans wait patiently for news of trades, let’s have a look at the first three buyout casualties.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs Defenceman Francois Beauchemin

Francois Beauchemin signed a 3 year $13.5 million dollar contract with the Colorado Avalanche in 2015-16. The Avalanche have bought out the last year of his contract. Due to the NHLPA 35 plus rule, the Avalanche will have the full $4.5M cap hit count against their 2017-18 season. In addition, the team will pay a one-third reduction in salary over the next two seasons.

At his peak, Beauchemin was good a three/four LH defenceman. While never an offensive dynamo, his shot blocking, and prevention were borderline elite. Beauchemin signed a three-year 11.4 million dollar deal in 2009 to shore up the Toronto Maple Leafs porous blue line. 54 games into the second year of his contract the Leafs traded him back to Anaheim. The Maple Leafs received Jake Gardiner, Joffrey Lupul. In conclusion, due to the Avalanche getting no savings for this buyout, I speculate buying out the NMC, they will have an additional protection slot to protect another player.

Is it possible that Beauchemin can help the Leafs defence? Yes, if we can roll back the clock to 2011.

Chances of the Toronto Maple Leafs signing him? Less than 1%.

Former N.Y. Ranger Defenceman Dan Girardi

The first buyout casualty this week was N.Y. Rangers RH defenceman Dan Girardi. Girardi signed a six-year $33 million dollar extension before the 2014-15 season. The Rangers are buying out the remaining three years while they retain $1.1 million against their cap until 2022-23. Glen Sather? Ouch! Jeff Gorton? You have your work cut out for you!

Girardi went undrafted, eventually signing an AHL deal with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Called up by the Rangers half way through the 2006-07 season, he has since played in 788 regular season games scoring 46 goals and adding 184 assists. While appearing in 122 playoff games, he has scored 6 goals and 33 points. The rugged veteran played 11 seasons for the Rangers before being shown the door.

Is it possible that Girardi can help the Toronto Maple Leafs defence? Only in Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone.

Chances of the Leafs signing him? Can I use negative numbers? Less than 0%.

Former Anaheim Ducks Defenceman Simon Despres

The Anaheim Ducks have confirmed their intention to buyout Simon Despres’ contract. Despres was only one season into his five-year, $18.5 million deal. He missed all-but one game in the 2016-17 campaign due to a concussion and he was absent for most of 2015-16 due to concussion-issues as well. rotoworld.com

The Ducks acquired Despers for Ben Lovejoy at the 2015 trade deadline. He is a lefty but moved to the right side meshing with Cam Fowler during the rest of the 2014-15 season and the playoffs. He impressed earning a 5 year $18.5 million dollar contract.

While he does not add much offensively, he brings a strong physical presence to his game. Despers suffered two serious head checks during the 2015-16 season. He dressed for only one game since a hit by Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog during a March 2015 game.

With his history of concussions, teams may stay away from the 6’4, 225 lbs. defenceman. If he is healthy, he will garner interest from many teams.  As Per Cap Friendly, the Ducks will be paying Despres $662,500 until the 2024-25 season. I am not sure what interest the Toronto Maple Leafs have in Despres. Out of the three buy-outs, he is most intriguing.

Despres possesses a blend of size and swift, fluid skating ability that makes him a special defensive player. He is also very unique in the sense that while his overall upside is largely unknown, particularly on the offensive side of the puck, he already has the frame, skating, and mental ability to play at the NHL level. Though he will likely never be known as a physical defenseman, Despres has demonstrated a willingness to throw around his huge frame, particularly in delivering occasional bone-crunching hip checks. www.hockeysfuture.com

Chances of the Leafs signing him?

If Healthy, I would give him a 25-50% chance with the Leafs. Pittsburgh will also show interest if Despres has recovered from his post-concussion symptoms.