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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) /
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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 05: Jeff Petry #26 of the Montreal Canadiens checks Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs into the boards during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 5, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 05: Jeff Petry #26 of the Montreal Canadiens checks Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs into the boards during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 5, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

#2. Jeff Petry

In terms of an experienced right-handed defenseman who would be able to step into Toronto’s line-up and perform, Petry is that guy.

Petry does have a modified no-trade clause, but with only one year left on his contract at $5.5 million per season, the Canadiens may want to move on from him if Petry isn’t looking to re-sign in Montreal.

The 32-year-old has really came into his own the last few seasons and has three consecutive double-digit goal campaigns.

Not only that, but his Corsi percentage has been consistently over 50% the last few seasons, including a career high 57% this year,. That ranks in the top-15 in the NHL among players who have played at least 25 regular season games.

I know that a Montreal-Toronto trade is rare, but there is potential for both teams to get better if a trade occurred.

Similar to the Los Angeles Kings’ inability to score, the Montreal Canadiens are in the bottom-half of Goals For in the Eastern Conference

The Canadiens have Carey Price in net, and although he hasn’t been the Price of old, when he’s on his game, there is no better defensive weapon in the NHL. If Price can get back to normal, the Canadiens could roll-out an American Hockey League defensive core and still be okay.

Either way, with one year left on his deal, Petry would make a great addition to the Toronto Maple Leafs defense, and the Leafs could give a solid offensive player in return.

Signing Petry would be crucial if the team were to give up Johnsson or Kapanen, but in order for the money to work out, they would more likely than not have to give up one of those players to get Petry in return.

Teamed up with Jonathan Drouin, Max Domi, or Brendan Gallagher on the top-six, Johnsson or Kapanen could make a real impact in Montreal, while Petry could provide some offense from the blue-line, but more importantly be a solid right-handed defenseman who will actually play defense.

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