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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
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 16: David Savard #58 of the Columbus Blue Jackets . (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

David Savard

2019 – 20 Stats: 0 goals – 11 assists – 11 points – 68 games

Age at Start of 2020 – 21 Season: 30

Contract: $4,250,000 x 1 year

Why Toronto Would Be Interested:

David Savard is the exact type of defensemen Toronto should be looking for – experienced, right shot, puck mover with good defensive abilities, plays with an edge, and is not afraid to get into the dirty areas or lay down to block a shot.

At 6-foot-2, 229-pounds, Savard’s frame is very reminiscent of the 6-foot-3, 217-pound Jake Muzzin Toronto currently employs on their second defense pairing.

Among defense pairs with at least 250 minutes played together this season, Savard’s pairing ranked 3rd in expected goals against per 60 minutes (stats; moneypuck.com).

Savard brings a lot more to the table than the prototypical defensive defencemen. He often displays his incredible skating ability and quick first pass, chipping in with 11 goals and 36 points in 2014 – 15, his best statistical season. (stats; hockey-reference.com).

Savard ranked second among all defensemen in blocked shots this past season (stats; NHL.com), and with him registering over 110 blocks every season since 2014 – 15 as well as over 120 hits since 2013 – 14 (stats; hockey-reference.com), Savard will drastically change the dynamic of this Toronto blueline.

Why He Might Be Available:

Since Artemi Panarin’s and Matt Duchene’s departure out of Columbus, the Blue Jackets have been searching for scoring upfront. Columbus ranked 27th league-wide in goals-for as well as powerplay percentage this season (stats; NHL.com).

What better team to come to for scoring help than the team who ranked second in the league in goals-for.

Plus, Toronto will be playing Savard and the Columbus Blue Jackets in the upcoming “play in” round, giving Kyle Dubas a firsthand look at the gritty defensemen.

Will the Leafs Pursue him?

Denis Savard looks like a prototypical Toronto Maple Leafs player under the Kyle Dubas regime, and if he is available, I would expect the Leafs to be extremely interested.

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