3 Right-Handed Defensemen Toronto Maple Leafs Should Acquire
The Toronto Maple Leafs currently only have one right-handed defenseman signed for the 2020-21 season.
Over the past few seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs defense has been questioned and pursuing a right-handed defenseman has always been a hot topic for the team.
The defense as whole is actually pretty steady as we look into next season.
Most likely locked in with Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin, Justin Holl and Travis Dermott, Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren and/or Mikko Lehtonen should be able to step in and fill the remaining two spots for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
When healthy, that defensive-core should be able to get the job done and help the Leafs win a few playoff rounds.
The one thing that is missing with that defense though is which way everyone shoots the puck. If Liljegren makes the team, he’ll be able to fill that role as a right-handed defenseman, but either Lehtonen or Dermott will have to play their weak-side to have a more balance defense.
As a result, it wouldn’t be a terrible idea to go out and find another right-handed defenseman to help bolster the roster.
Here are three right-handed defenseman the Toronto Maple Leafs should pursue.
#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.
#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.
#1. Dustin Byfuglien
A little over a month ago, the Winnipeg Jets terminated Dustin Byfuglien’s contract and he became an Unrestricted Free Agent.
At the time of the divorce, I wrote that the Leafs should sign Byfuglien and still believe that he is the most attractive player to pursue.
Health and motivation are the two most important factors when it comes to “Buff” and if he’s in the right mindset for both, he would be a perfect addition to the Leafs blue-line.
At 35-years-old, there’s no reason to believe that he doesn’t have at least two or three more years left in the tank to attempt to lift another Stanley Cup and be an important piece for a contending team.
If his health and motivation aren’t there right now, Byfuglien will at least have the luxury of time to get back to normal. It feels that the 2020-21 season won’t start until at least January, 2021, so starting now, he would have six months to get his body back in game-shape and prepped for next season.
Not only would he be a great addition to the line-up, but the team wouldn’t have to trade anything to acquire him. The Leafs don’t have a ton of cap-space, I’m sure they would be happy to clear space if Byfuglien wanted to play in Toronto.
As a second-pairing defenseman, he wouldn’t be asked to play 25 minutes a night like he used to in his prime, but instead be a mentor and provide stability alongside someone like Rasmus Sandin or Travis Dermott.
The Leafs are fortunate to have two quality defenseman already in Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin, but with a healthy and motivated Byfuglien as the third option, the Leafs would have one of the best top-four defenses in the NHL.
Next. 4 Other Defensemen the Leafs Could Trade For. dark
It’s obviously unknown whether or not he wants to play hockey again, but with a void to fill on the right-side of the defense, Byfuglien could be a key piece in Toronto finally making noise in the playoffs.