Toronto Maple Leafs Decide to Spend Less to Improve Their Right Side

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been tied to Alex Pietrangelo rumours since well before free agency began. As good as he’s proven to be, acquiring him might not be a responsible choice for management to make.

There is no denying that Alex Pietrangelo is a superstar defenseman and leader. If there was any doubt, his hoisting of the 2019 Stanley Cup should have alleviated it. So it’s no wonder the Toronto Maple Leafs have been rumoured to have interest in his abilities.

As obvious as Pietrangelo’s impact has become throughout the league, the same can be said for Toronto’s lack of support down the right side of their defense. It’s been a storyline of theirs for years and doesn’t seem to be going away.

It makes sense, then, that they’d be so closely connected to one of the most elite free agents to hit the market in recent years. Like their blockbuster acquisition in attracting John Tavares in the 2018 offseason, Pietrangelo would also then be playing for the team he cheered for growing up.

A lot of the boxes are ticked when it comes to the immediate sense of relief it would give fans to see Pietrangelo in a Maple Leafs jersey next season. However, perhaps there is a different strategy that would complement their build even better. (And it seems the Leafs, ultimately agreed as T.J Brodie was signed between the writing and publication of this article).

Makeup of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto’s strategy of a skill first makeup shouldn’t be news to anyone who’s been following their journey. They focus on high-end talent who can skate and produce. It’s a great tactic when it’s working as planned.

Even with the scoring prowess that the Maple Leafs have made their norm, it’s still obvious that greater shutdown strength is needed to balance the lineup. Putting pucks in the opponent’s net is one thing, but keeping them out of your own is equally as important.

Pietrangelo has continued to enjoy a career like few others. As a first pair defenseman, he logs big minutes, is steady positionally, and produces at will. Sounds like a great addition to any team. Except, the Maple Leafs might not need that type of improvement.

Addressing Needs, Not Wants

With the lack of strength down their right side, that void always looks largest when it is exposed and capitalized on. Having players to simply stand in the way won’t correct that, nor will acquiring stars who can score more than the average backend defender.

A case in point is the failed experiment with Tyson Barrie. It’s not to diminish Barrie’s production potential or how he might improve the team he joins next, but what he brought clearly wasn’t what Toronto needed.

Having the type of prolific talent that already leads their offensive approach upfront, it’s time management realizes that adding more of it at the back might not be their missing ingredient. They shouldn’t avoid complementary styles but making it the focus hasn’t worked.

With Cody Ceci joining Barrie in the open market to see what types of offers they can land elsewhere, it opens up an obvious gap on the right side of Toronto’s defensive pairings. This could be the perfect time to maximize value with the little cap space they actually have.

Finding the Proper Pieces

Again, it’s not to suggest that signing Pietrangelo would ever be a bad idea. What he provides should be welcomed by any organization that can afford him. With that said, in having to be cognizant of their budget, Toronto might need to reassess their spending.

Pietrangelo is coming off of a contract that saw him earn an AAV of $6.5 million. Following a recent Cup victory and in the prime of his career, he’s seeking nothing less than a raise. There are teams that should spend that, Toronto just isn’t one of them.

The Maple Leafs do not need more scoring, regardless of which role it may be coming from. They have a depleted defense, let alone on that specific side, and need to fill those holes with more than just a single player who’s good for a 50+ point season.

Pietrangelo’s Production

30-year-old Pietrangelo will be paid more next year than he was last season. Proven stars deserve that type of value, while those who are ready to show their worth generally have a lower price tag. It makes sense.

In 2019-20, Pietrangelo had 89 blocks and 47 hits, alongside his 52 points through 70 games played. He averaged over 24:00 of ice time, too. Solid numbers, across the board. Yet, there is a case to be made wherein Toronto can get more return on the type of investment he’d demand.

Getting More for Less

There are a number of free agents that now await the call of where they’ll be playing next season. Dubas shouldn’t take too long to come to the realization that he can get a greater return for less than a single superstar additional will cost him.

Troy Stecher made $2,325,000 with the Vancouver Canucks last year. He accumulated 70 blocks, 69 hits, and 17 points while averaging almost nine minutes less than Pietrangelo per game. At 26 years old, Stecher would fit right into Toronto’s youthful mix with years ahead to do even more.

Trevor van Riemsdyk’s eight points last season, in combination with his 31 blocks and 21 hits, might not impress many. However, the 29-year-old is a Stanley Cup champion who can slot up and down a lineup to provide options Pietrangelo wouldn’t. He earned $2.3 million last year.

Even if Stecher is due for a modest raise, it’s safe to assume that van Riemsdyk will maintain a similar cap hit at most. That would still leave the Toronto Maple Leafs additional funds to spend elsewhere, while addressing two spots instead of just one with players who can do more than just fill a void.

Time will tell if the moves Toronto makes this offseason are the right ones. Whatever they do next, it needs to further their strategy as opposed to being more of the same. A slight shift in thinking could save them money and see them find success even sooner.