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4 Defenseman the Toronto Maple Leafs May Target in Trade

By Jordan Maresky

TORONTO, ON-Toronto-DUBAS.The Maple Leafs announced today the promotion of Kyle Dubas to General Manager. Brendan Shanahan was on hand for the announcement..May 11, 2018. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON-Toronto-DUBAS.The Maple Leafs announced today the promotion of Kyle Dubas to General Manager. Brendan Shanahan was on hand for the announcement..May 11, 2018. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs – Rasmus Ristolainen of the Buffalo Sabres (Photo by Sara Schmidle/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Rasmus Ristolainen

2019 – 20 Stats: 6 goals – 27 assists – 33 points – 69 games (All stats NHL.com).

Age at Start of 2020 – 21 Season: 26

Contract: $5,400,000 x 2 years

Why Toronto Would Be Interested:

The 25-year old Finnish defensemen would immediately become Toronto’s biggest defensemen.

Ristolainen, standing at 6-foot-4, 220-pounds, is a former first-round pick, and at such a young age, could still have a lot left to prove.

Analysts often rave about his big body and the fact he uses it to bully the opposition in front of the net and along the boards.

Any avid Leafs fan would notice how the opposing teams are able to bother Frederik Andersen in the crease without anyone standing up for him or their ability to cycle the puck around the boards without interruption to their flow. With Ristolainen’s massive frame, he would definitely be able to help in both those areas.

Also, the big Finn had the eighth-most defensive zone starts among all defensemen this season (stats; evolving-hockey.com), indicating Ralph Krueger, Sabres head coach, has a certain level of trust in Ristolainen’s ability to handle risky situations.

Lastly, this past season, Ristolainen led all defensemen in hits racking up over 200 of them. (stats; NHL.com).

Why He Might Be Available:

The Buffalo Sabres on loaded on the right side of their defense.

With Colin Miller, Ristolainen, and Henri Jokiharju occupying the top three right spots on their blueline, and Buffalo ranking 21st league-wide in goals-for plus the need for adequate wingers to play with their star Jack Eichel, it seems pretty apparent to acquire a top-six winger, they are going to have to subtract from their defense core.

Will the Leafs Pursue Him:

It’s nice in theory, but the fact is Ristolainen is overrated according to advanced stats and there is very little chance the Toronto Maple Leafs would be interested.

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