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Should the Toronto Maple Leafs look at Trading for Josh Manson?

By Lucas Bolt |
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 7: Josh Manson #42 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 7, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Ducks 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 7: Josh Manson #42 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 7, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Ducks 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been looking for a top-four RHD for some time now, and the Anaheim Ducks may have one that fits the bill.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, if they want to contend in the coming season will have to upgrade their defense. Cody Ceci and the failed experiment in Tyson Barrie will be coming of the books as they both enter the world of unrestricted free agency. Bets are that neither of them will be re-signing with the team and will move along with their careers.

However, that would leave the Toronto Maple Leafs with Rielly, Muzzin, Holl as their only players that have played top-four minutes. Could one of Dermott, Sandin, Liljegren or even Lehtonen make the jump to play top-4 minutes with limited experience? Or will one of them be packaged to bring in a well-known proven RHD that can get the job done.

A player that has been proving their defensive acumen over a number of years now is someone that goes by the name of Josh Manson.

What Can Manson bring to the Toronto Maple Leafs

The 6’3 224lb Hinsdale, Illinois native is a presence that can’t be missed on the ice. He was selected in the 6th round by the ducks in 2011 NHL Entry Draft with a pick that originally came from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Manson is a physical defenseman that many people think the Toronto Maple Leafs are missing from the right side. They have Jake Muzzin on the left, but they are missing that dominant force on the right side to play with Morgan Rielly.

Manson is your typical old school type of player that does what it takes to win games. He is physical, will blocks shots, hits, and will drop the gloves on occasion. But don’t expect a lot of point from Manson as he has only 9 points in 50 games this season.

He had a CF% of 50.00 this season but that was on a very bad Anaheim team. His best CF% came in the 2015/2016 season with a CF% of 56.78. But, his most valuable assets are that he can defend which this current Leafs d-core has a hard time doing and he is a leader on and off the ice.

With two years remaining at 4.1 mil, Manson won’t be necessarily cheap to get, but he won’t cost an arm and a leg like someone like Parayko or Ekblad would. As a rebuilding team, the Ducks would want a package that probably consist of a player, pick and prospect/another player

To Tor: Manson

To Ana: 2020 1st round pick, Holl, Engvall

The 1st round pick would be paramount in this deal for a rebuilding Ducks team that could select players like Schneider, Barron, or Guhle with the 15th overall selection. The Toronto Maple Leafs get their desired partner for Rielly that can log big defensive minutes and let Rielly join the rush while he sits back.

Next. 5 Reasons for Optimism with the Leafs. dark

A deal like this really could allow the Toronto Maple Leafs to take the next step as an organization.

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