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Toronto Maple Leafs: Is Brandon Montour Available?

By Josh Tessler

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 5: Nazem Kadri #43 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Brandon Montour #26 of the Anaheim Ducks reach for the puck during the second period at the Air Canada Centre on February 5, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 5: Nazem Kadri #43 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Brandon Montour #26 of the Anaheim Ducks reach for the puck during the second period at the Air Canada Centre on February 5, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs could have interest in Brandon Montour of the Anaheim Ducks.

With Jacob Trouba locked up on a one-year, 5.5 million USD contract with Winnipeg, perhaps Kyle Dubas, general manager of Toronto Maple Leafs could place a call to Bob Murray and the Anaheim Ducks to discuss Brandon Montour.

The Brantford, Ontario native is coming off a strong season in Southern California. In 80 games played, he registered 9 goals, 23 assists, 12 PPP, 5.6 S%, 49.5 CF%, 20:28 ATOI, 96 hits, 83 blocks and 20 takeaways.

He was also one of the Ducks strongest defenseman in the playoffs this past season. Randy Carlyle, the head coach of the Ducks and former head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, was clearly impressed with Montour this year and gave him a lot of ice time in the playoffs. Montour’s ATOI in the playoffs was at 25:52. Unfortunately for Ducks fans, their playoff run was squashed early on, but Montour did emerge as a strong right handed defenseman.

Currently, Montour and Murray are awaiting their arbitration appointment after failing to agreeing to terms. According to a report from Elliott Teaford of The Orange County Register, Murray is hoping to come to terms at the arbitration meeting in Toronto on a “two-year bridge contract”.

As, I mentioned in my latest post on Jacob Trouba and his arbitration hearings, arbitration is never a good thing. It can often mean that the player simply isn’t happy and asks for a lot of money to get out of a painful situation. It’s not know if Montour wants out of Anaheim, but one can assume that he might want out.

If the conversation about the bridge contract doesn’t seem to be moving in the right direction, Murray might look to shop Montour across the NHL. In the past, Murray hasn’t been shy about calling the Toronto Maple Leafs about trades. Since taking over for former Ducks and Maple Leafs general manager, Brian Burke, he’s made 16 trades with the Maple Leafs. I wouldn’t be shocked if he were to call Dubas about Montour, if he decides to part ways with the 24 year old right handed defenseman.

What The Cost Would Be & Where He’d Fit

Unfortunately for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montour won’t come cheap. Montour has only played one full season in the NHL and has a lot of potential. This means that Dubas might have to part with a few prospects and/or picks to land him.

While Dubas would have to part with a couple of significant prospects/picks, the return would be worth it. Montour would give the Toronto Maple Leafs a solid right handed two-way top four defenseman.

Montour could be a solid fit alongside Morgan Rielly or Jake Gardiner on their right side. In addition, he’d be a solid special teams guy. He could be an asset on the penalty kill as he’s physical and doesn’t mind blocking shots. Plus, he’s shown that he can be pivotal on the power-play. All-in-all, he’d be a great all-around defenseman in Toronto.

Next: MItch Marner Season Two

Hopefully, Dubas will place a call to Murray and see what the price would be to land Montour. If Murray doesn’t ask for too much, it could be a solid acquisition for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

stats from NHL.com and hockey-reference.com

stats from NHL.com and hockey-reference.com

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