Toronto Maple Leafs: Multiple 40 Point Defensemen

Ron Hainsey

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Ron Hainsey this summer to a three-year contract.  Right off the bat, we can eliminate Hainsey from the 40 point defenseman conversation.  It’s just not going to happen.

Ron Hainsey has never eclipsed 40 points in his 15 year career as an NHL defenseman. He’s definitely flirted with the milestone, coming close with 39 points back in 09-10 season, but that would be as close as he ever gets. Since 2010, Hainsey has not reached 20 points in a single season but did score 19 points on two separate occasions.

The Leafs acquired him for his two-way game. He’s not a great offensive or defensive defenseman, but he’s pretty solid with both roles.

This, by the way, is not a slight on Ron Hainsey in any way. He was not brought to Toronto to score goals or rack up the assists, it’s simply not his role.  At age 36, Hainsey is well out of his prime and just doesn’t have the extra gear needed to put up heavy offensive numbers.

That said, he’s a quality puck mover and a smart player.  He might not be the player he once was, but the Leafs wouldn’t have signed him if he was terrible.  He really helped the Penguins last year on the PK and could take over for Roman Polak in that role this year with the Leafs.

It looks like he’ll get a chance to play top-four minutes, most likely alongside Morgan Rielly. This could be very beneficial for the 23 year old budding star.  Or it could be another in the long line of disappointing partners the Leafs have saddled Rielly with so far in his career.  It’s too early to tell!