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Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Free Agent D Targets

By Mike Stephens

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 29: Toby Enstrom #39 of the Winnipeg Jets skates against the Nashville Predators in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Toby Enstrom
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 29: Toby Enstrom #39 of the Winnipeg Jets skates against the Nashville Predators in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Toby Enstrom /
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NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 29: Toby Enstrom #39 of the Winnipeg Jets skates against the Nashville Predators in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Toby Enstrom
NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 29: Toby Enstrom #39 of the Winnipeg Jets skates against the Nashville Predators in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Toby Enstrom /

Kyle Cushman

Simply put, there isn’t much out there on the open market. Other than top dog John Carlson, the unrestricted free agent defencemen crop is bare bones.

Despite the lack of high-end talent available, there are still some nice depth options for the Maple Leafs. Well, if they decide to round out their blueline in free agency.

He may be a lefty, but Tobias Enstrom would serve as a very nice depth piece to add to this Leafs defence and would likely come at a cheap price.

In recent years, Enstrom has been plagued with injuries, failing to log a full season since 2012-13. 2017-18 saw him limited to just 43 games, the lowest of his career. Via Matt Cane, Enstrom is projected to sign a one-year, $1.5 million contract this summer. For the production he put up in 2017-18 (just six points), even in limited games, that is a worthwhile bet.

The 33-year old Swede posted a 52.26 CF% and a 57.14 GF% at even strength in the regular season, almost exclusively paired with Dustin Byfuglien. Additionally, the Jets had 60.8% of the high danger chances when Enstrom was on the ice.

It’s quite evident that Enstrom is still an effective NHL defenceman. In fact, he would look very nice on the third pairing behind Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner. Based on how dramatically Ron Hainsey’s play fell off due to the minutes he received and Enstrom’s recent injury woes, a platoon system between the two veteran blueliners could be very beneficial.

To both the Maple Leafs and the players themselves.

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