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3 Veteran Defenseman Toronto Maple Leafs Should Give PTO

By Stephen Nixon

Jan 22, 2022; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) and Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Wayne Simmonds (24) collide along the boards during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2022; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) and Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Wayne Simmonds (24) collide along the boards during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports /
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Training camp is around the corner and there are still a ton of unsigned veterans who the Toronto Maple Leafs should offer a Professional Tryout (PTO) to.

At this point on the calendar, if you’re still unsigned, you’re in dangerous territory and the Toronto Maple Leafs should take advantage of that. PTO’s rarely blossom into everyday players, but it’s a no-risk situation that could really help the depth of this roster.

As of right now, the Leafs have goaltender Dylan Ferguson and forward Zach Aston-Reese on a PTO.

Ferguson would more than likely be given an AHL or ECHL contract in Toronto’s organization if the team likes him, while Aston-Reese has a legitimate chance at making the roster. The 28-year-old forward has 230 NHL games under his belt and has already proven he can be an everyday fourth-liner.

He’s not a huge name and he won’t show up on the scoresheet every night, but his defensive abilities will help this team significantly, as this year’s fourth-line could be very feisty.

As for the rest of the roster, it’s pretty much set and I can’t see the team looking to bring in anymore forwards. The only place I can see the Leafs adding is within their defense-core, as it seems less likely every day that Rasmus Sandin will be on the roster for opening night.

That may change in the upcoming weeks, but by all accounts, neither side seems willing to budge, yet.

As a result, here are three veteran defenseman that the Toronto Maple Leafs should give a PTO to.

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