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Top 10 Right-Handed Defensemen Toronto Maple Leafs Should Acquire

By Stephen Nixon

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 23: Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on February 23, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 23: Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on February 23, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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EDMONTON, ALBERTA – AUGUST 17: Alex Pietrangelo #27 of the St. Louis Blues. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA – AUGUST 17: Alex Pietrangelo #27 of the St. Louis Blues. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /

#1. Alex Pietrangelo

Pietrangelo is essentially the John Tavares of defensemen.

I’m not sure if there’s a picture of him in Toronto Maple Leafs pajamas, but he’s the local kid the Leafs NEED to acquire during Free Agency.

When the Leafs signed Tavares in 2018, it felt like the team had won the Stanley Cup.

Forever, the Leafs had been in the running for a big-name centre, but they never signed him. Whether it was Brad Richards or Steven Stamkos, for whatever reason neither player wanted to play for the Leafs.

Ever since Tavares changed that stigma, fans are hopeful that it will happen again with Pietrangelo.

The 30-year-old defenseman is set to become a UFA, as he’s on the last year of a seven-year $45.5 million deal.

In order for the Leafs to lure him to Toronto, it’s quite possible that he’ll be looking for a very similar deal, if not a little more.

The pandemic has made the salary cap flat for the next few seasons so maybe his cost will go down, but he’s bound to be asking for a lot of money.

Unless that salary per season is a double-digit, the Leafs need to do everything to acquire him because he’s the perfect player for this Leafs team.

He’s a right-handed shot that can contribute offensively and play incredible defense.

Born in King City, ON, Pietrangelo would bring great winning experience to a young Leafs roster, having just won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues.

Don’t get me wrong. Signing Pietrangelo will not make the Leafs the favorite to win the Stanley Cup next year, but he would bolster a depleted right-side and make the team so much better.

Next. The Leafs Top Ten Prospects. dark

The Leafs need Pietrangelo more than any other free agent available, so we’ll see what the executive team can do to make him a Leaf.

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