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5 Free Agents the Toronto Maple Leafs Should NOT Sign

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 29: Tyler Motte #64 of the Vancouver Canucks battles against Kyle Clifford #73 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 29, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canucks 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 29: Tyler Motte #64 of the Vancouver Canucks battles against Kyle Clifford #73 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 29, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canucks 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 18: Trevor Daley #83 of the Detroit Red Wings skates away from a checking Zach Hyman #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on October 18, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario. The Maple Leafs defeated the Red Wings 6-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

#5. Trevor Daley

When I was growing up watching OHL games, Trevor Daley was one of the most exceptional players I had ever seen. His skating ability as a defenseman to rush up the ice was Bobby-Orr like and that’s always stuck with me. However, that 20 years ago and he’s not the answer to the Leafs blue-line today.

I know the Leafs need defensive depth, so his name has been floating around. Although he shoots left, there’s people who think that he can be a serviceable depth defenseman on a good hockey team. I just think the time has passed for him.

Even assuming he signs a league minimum contract, the Leafs left-side of their defense is actually good. Jake Muzzin and Morgan Rielly are elite defenseman and then the third-pairing player who people chirp is only 20-years-old. Rasmus Sandin has only played 28 NHL games but for whatever reason, many fans assume he should be a Norris Trophy candidate by now.

The Leafs need to give Sandin a full season to develop in the NHL and get better. He already has 43 points in 65 career AHL games, which is amazing, so I’m not concerned about him at all. Back to Daley though.

Having him as your third-pairing defenseman could be fine, but when you have Sandin there, it’s best for the organization to play him and watch his development this year.

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