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Toronto Maple Leafs: Under the Radar Free Agent Targets

By Jordan Maresky

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 4: Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas during interview with Bruce Arthur (Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 4: Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas during interview with Bruce Arthur (Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON-Toronto-DUBAS.The Maple Leafs announced today the promotion of Kyle Dubas to General Manager. . (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

The Toronto Maple Leafs are thought to need an upgrade to their defense core.

Toronto Maple Leafs management has entrenched themselves as a group with a knack for finding hidden gems and it would be wise to think they could potentially enter the 2020 – 21 season having pulled off the biggest heist of free agency, signing a talented defensemen for virtually nothing.

At this point, they likely won’t be big game hunting in the UFA market.

These five defensemen should be on Toronto’s radar and all have legitimate cases to be crowned “The Steal of The Offseason”.

Justin Braun

Justin Braun, a 33-year old right-shooting defensemen, is what hockey fans would call a prototypical stay-at-home defender.

At 6-foot-2 and 205 lbs, Braun would immediately add major size to the Leafs blueline, one that is often criticized for lacking toughness and grit.

Playing for the Philadelphia Flyers, Braun has gained a reputation for being a fantastic penalty killer – an area Toronto struggles in – where teammates have raved about his quick defensive stick and gap control.

With a very inexperienced core, Braun adds another veteran presence, a calming voice, and a solid sense of humour to the fifth-youngest team in the NHL (source, The Athletic).

Ranking third on the Flyers among defensemen in blocked shots and hits this season, Justin Braun can be the stabilizing force Sheldon Keefe needs to play alongside Morgan Rielly (stats courtesy of hockey-reference.com).

Evolving Hockey Contract Projection: $2,782,000 x 2 year

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