Editor In Leaf
Fansided

3 Right-Handed Defensemen Toronto Maple Leafs Should Acquire

By Stephen Nixon

WINNIPEG, MB - JANUARY 3: David Clarkson #71 of the Toronto Maple Leafs is taken down by Dustin Byfuglien #33 of the Winnipeg Jets in first period action in an NHL game at the MTS Centre on January 3, 2015 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Marianne Helm/Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - JANUARY 3: David Clarkson #71 of the Toronto Maple Leafs is taken down by Dustin Byfuglien #33 of the Winnipeg Jets in first period action in an NHL game at the MTS Centre on January 3, 2015 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Marianne Helm/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Kyle Clifford #73 of the Toronto Maple Leafs collides with Matt Roy #3 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Staples Center on March 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Kyle Clifford #73 of the Toronto Maple Leafs collides with Matt Roy #3 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Staples Center on March 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

#3. Matt Roy

With one year left in his contract at $700,000, why not make another deal with one of their favorite trade partners, the Los Angeles Kings?

Drafted in the seventh round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Roy made his NHL debut during the 2018-19 season playing 25 games, but has been an everyday player for the Kings this year, playing 70 games.

In terms of his numbers, Roy’s Corsi stats have been great this season with a 56.1 CF%.

Not only has his Corsi been great, but it’s reflected his Defensive Point Shares (DPS). Roy is 13th in the NHL with 4.5 DPS this season. In comparison to other quality NHL defenseman, Roy is right between Alex Pietrangelo and Seth Jones for DPS league-wide.

With only four goals and 18 points this season, Roy doesn’t deliver a ton of offense, but as shown from his advanced stats, his defensive numbers are very good.

So why would the Los Angeles Kings want to get rid of a 25-year-old defenseman who has established himself as a top-four defenseman?

Well, the Los Angeles Kings can’t score any goals and need offensive help.

The Kings are currently in a rebuild and in a stacked Western Conference, it could take a few years to get back to the playoffs. As much as Roy would be a great defensive piece, the team will need to score more goals to compete in the West, as that’s the biggest thing they’re lacking.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have an abundance of offensive talent, so they may be able to work out a deal.

Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson or Alex Kerfoot straight-up for Roy would probably be too much to give up, but with Nick Robertson ready to make the NHL and take one of their spots, it may be something to look at.

Roy would be a great addition to the Leafs because he could play that role as the stay-at-home defenseman and would only be making $700,000 next season. Not to mention, if the Leafs wanted to re-sign him after next season, they should still be able to sign him for an inexpensive deal as his sample size is small.

Home/Editorials