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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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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 27: Morgan Rielly #44 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 27, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 27: Morgan Rielly #44 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 27, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Derek Forbort

With a 6-foot-4 and 219-pound frame, Derek Forbort would instantly become one of the Toronto Maple Leafs biggest defensemen.

In 2018 – 19, while playing for the Los Angeles Kings, Forbort managed to rack up over 100 hits which would have put him tied for second on Toronto that season.

Before being traded at the deadline, Todd McLellan, head coach of the Kings, was deploying the big lefty on the top defensive pair alongside Drew Doughty, suggesting Forbort has the necessary tools to handle top-four minutes. Now a member of the Flames, Calgary’s GM mentioned Forbort’s excellent penalty killing abilities as the main factor of their interest in him.

Additionally, in 2018 – 19, Forbort had the 10th most defensive zone starts among all defensemen, indicating his head coach had a certain level of trust in Forbort’s ability to handle crucial situations.

With Toronto being strong on the left side and Forbort being left-handed, this should not represent a significant obstacle for the potential Dubas acquisition.
Sheldon Keefe is often recognized as an open-minded, forward-thinking head coach and he would definitely not be opposed to playing two lefties on his top pair as long as the fit works.

Evolving Hockey Contract Projection: $1,579,000 x 1 year

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