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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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ST PAUL, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 20: Jonas Brodin #25 of the Minnesota Wild .. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 20: Jonas Brodin #25 of the Minnesota Wild .. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Jonas Brodin

2019 – 20 Stats: 2 goals – 26 assists – 28 points – 69 games

Age at Start of 2020 – 21 Season: 27

Contract: $4,166,667 x 1 year

Why Toronto Would Be Interested:

Long regarded as one of the most underrated defensive defenders in the league, Brodin brings a ton to the table with his skillset from the backend.

At 6-foot-1 and 194-pounds, Brodin is the smallest player on this list, but what he lacks in size he makes up for with his tremendous positioning, awareness, and alertness.

His best asset is his skating. With the ability to match speeds with superstar players like Nathan Mackinnon or Auston Matthews, Brodin is able to interrupt a lot of entries at the defensive blueline before the play even starts.

Among 198 qualified defensemen, Brodin ranks first in 5-on-5 zone entry denials  (thepointhockey.com). His skillset denying opposing forwards any space in the offensive zone is shown in the video below.

Another hallmark of Brodin’s game is his defensive zone positioning and anticipation. Among 198 qualified defensemen, the talented lefty ranked second in defensive zone blocked passes (stats; thepointhockey.com).

Why He Might Be Available:

The Minnesota Wild may be ushering in a new era of their franchise.

In a deadline deal that fell through, new Wild GM Bill Guerin appeared to have traded Zach Parise to the New York Islanders in exchange for Andrew Ladd, signalling he could be willing to sell off his veterans who do not appear to be part of their future.

With Minnesota having the 7th oldest roster in the NHL (source; The Athletic), they could possibly look to get younger and faster this offseason, forcing a subtraction from their stacked blueline to do so.

Will the Leafs Pursue him?

With one year left on his $4.1 million dollar contract, Brodin might be available, and if he is, you can bet the Toronto Maple Leafs would have definite interest. Especially as they have shown a willingness to add more lefties than most the hockey world thinks they need.

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