Toronto Maple Leafs: Under the Radar Free Agent Targets
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
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
Travis Hamonic
Continuing the trend of large, big body defensemen, Travis Hamonic certainly qualifies for the type of defensemen Leafsnation is calling on Dubas to add. (Though he almost certainly doesn’t agree).
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-shot defensemen from Manitoba, has been a mainstay on his teams’ blueline for years now. Consistently playing over 20 minutes a night, Hamonic is the perfect example of a ‘workhorse’.
The first thing analysts point to with regards to Hamonic’s play is his ability to match up against the oppositions’ best players and be an imposing and effective force from the back end.
Similar to the two players above, Hamonic also excels on the penalty kill, leading Calgary in short-handed ice time this past season and guiding them to a top-10 penalty kill percentage.
Plus, the Morgan Rielly fit could not be more perfect. Toronto has long searched for the right fit to play alongside their talented, puck-moving defensemen and Hamonic could be that guy.
The Athletic spoke with a scout back in March about Hamonic’s down year this season and he had this to say: “He’s still a good fit on a lot of teams, high compete,” said the pro scout. “If he was paired with a puck mover, it would be perfect.”
Evolving Hockey Contract Projection: $5,211,000 x 5 years
With such a tumultuous season this year in Calgary, it should be mentioned as the main factor in Hamonic’s struggles, leading many to believe he won’t land the lofty contract once projected for him.
It was a challenging year for the whole team and so, it is unfair to judge the righty on his play this season. Any team willing to sign Hamonic is hoping he can regain his 2018 – 19 form, where he smothered opposing offenses at even-strength and played at a net-positive rate at 5-on-5.
His down season could have come at a very opportunistic time for Toronto, as had Hamonic had a decent year, he may have priced himself out of Toronto’s budget. Now, most likely he will be forced into a lower AAV, short-team deal.
Chris Tanev
Joining the recent pattern of Toronto natives returning home, Chris Tanev could soon be added to that list.
The 6-foot-2, 197-pound defensemen, is one of the most underrated defensive defensemen in the NHL.
A veteran of 10 seasons in the NHL, Tanev has been a steady force, dominating on the Vancouver Canucks blueline. Consistently playing over 20 minutes a night, Tanev is an elite shot blocker, being credited with over 100 blocked shots in five different NHL seasons (stats courtesy of hockey-reference).
Many point to the fact Tanev is playing on a defense pair with Quinn Hughes, a highly talented, offensive defensemen, as to why he is enjoying a rejuvenated season this year. On his defense pairing, Tanev is allowed to play his preferred stay-at-home style of defense.
In Toronto, Tanev would surely be playing with the same highly talented, offensive defensemen in Morgan Rielly. The hope is the same success he has enjoyed with Hughes, Tanev would be able to replicate it with Rielly.
Willing to put his body on the line each and every night, Tanev is a fantastic teammate and perfect locker room veteran.
Unlike the players previously mentioned, Tanev has some offensive capabilities as well.
While never much of a point-producer, Tanev has above-average skating, decent puck-moving skills, and a powerful shot. Ranking in the upper end of the league in stick checking, defensive awareness, and body checking, Tanev might be the most prominent and skillful defensemen on this list.
Evolving Hockey Contract Projection: $3,286,000 x 3 years
Wild Card: Mark Pysyk
What a story this would be – the defensemen who played forward for the Florida Panthers against the Leafs, putting up a hattrick, later signs with that same team in free agency.
That positional versatility is what makes Mark Pysyk such an intriguing free agent option. He has the unique ability of playing both sides of the blueline and the adequate skills to be an effective fourth-line forward.
Often referred to as the “Toyota Prius” by his teammates, Pysyk was never out of place, mostly playing in the bottom 6, putting up 18 points, all at 5-on-5. The Panthers actually outscored their opponents at 5-on-5 with Pysyk on the ice (source; The Athletic).
At 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds, Pysyk would bring size to Toronto’s blueline.
Pysyk’s game is dull and lacks a certain level of flash the other players above him play with. He plays a more low-event style of defense and his game often leaves spectators a bit underwhelmed, but he is quite adept as a gap-control specialist.
In the minutes he has been used exclusively as a defensemen, Pysyk consistently posted strong 5-on-5 possession percentages and shot-suppression numbers. Plus, Kyle Dubas knows firsthand the struggles of a team when they take significant injury hits to depth players. With Pysyk, Toronto would be getting an effective defenseman and an insurance policy should their forward corps be decimated by injury.
Evolving Hockey Contract Projection: $2,718,000 x 3 years
dark. Next. Leafs Top 10 Prospects
While many Toronto Maple Leafs fans will call on Dubas to add a higher profile defender, it is more likely he opts for the under-the-radar options, prioritizing keeping the “Big Four” intact.