Should the Toronto Maple Leafs Pursue Ian Cole?
By James Tanner
The Toronto Maple Leafs are always rumoured to be in the market for a defenseman.
Today TSN is reporting that Ian Cole – who has been healthy scratched for three games in a row – may be on the trade block, and that the Toronto Maple Leafs may be interested.
Whenever we hear a rumour, we love to look up some stats and try to put that player into context within the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup to find out if he’d be a good fit or not – and that’s exactly what we’re doing here.
So, should the Leafs pursue Ian Cole?
Ian Cole
Ian cole is an adequate #4-6 NHL defenseman. He was drafted in 2007, 18th overall by St. Louis and is a veteran of parts of nine seasons. He also has a Stanley Cup ring. Oh, and he’s very cheap, making just $2 million as a pending UFA.
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Cole has a career high 26 points (last year) and at 6’1″ 220lbs, you can see why the Leafs would be interested. He moves the puck, he has size, seems to be a positive possession player most of the time, and he knows what it takes to win.
So in that sense he’s a positive. He’s also only 28 and he could potentially develop into a very good third pairing defenseman. Since he has (however slight) upside, and is cheap and useful, if the cost isn’t prohibitive to acquire him, he’d probably be a good depth pick up.
Probably Not a Terrible Idea
If Ian Cole was right handed, I’d be a lot more enthusiastic about his possible acquisition. But he’s not. He’s just a regular old lefty! The Leafs already have Ron Hainsey playing his off-side because both Gardiner and Rielly are left handed. Additionally, Borgman, Rosen, Dermott, and Neilson all shoot left.
Seven of the ten defensemen the Leafs could conceivably dress are left shooting. Yes Ian Cole is potentially better than Borgman (or at least more experienced) but is he so much better that he’s worth stalling Borgman’s development? Borgman clearly has the higher ceiling, regardless of current skill level.
I think Cole might be a slight up-grade, but it’s not for sure. My inclination would be to give younger players a chance to steal a job, rather than gift it to an older player. Although, Ian Cole might represent a nice insurance policy should someone like Gardiner end up injured.
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In conclusion, if the cost is cheap, there’s really no sense in passing on an opportunity to make your team better, even if it’s just marginally. At worst, you’re getting a very passable replacement player who can step in if Borgman starts to struggle.
stats from corsica.hockey