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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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Toronto Maple Leafs
Keith Yandle #3 of the Philadelphia Flyers (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Keith Yandle

If you want a defenseman who’s going to play every night, Keith Yandle is your man.

Prior to a healthy scratch last year, Yandle had played in 989 consecutive NHL games, becoming the league’s “iron-man.” Being healthy-scratched is a tough way to lose your streak, but that was unfortunately the reality for the 35-year-old.

Yandle had a tough year with the Philadelphia Flyers last year, but who didn’t? That team was a joke and they blew up their roster, eventually trading Claude Giroux at the deadline. The iron-man streak may have caught up to Yandle, but he’s only two years removed from being a 45-point defenseman and three years from a 62-point campaign.

Yandle’s biggest attribute has always been his point production, as he’s consistently been a great assist-man and someone who can quarterback a power-play throughout his career.

At this point in his career, Yandle is without an NHL contract for next year and can still help an organization.

Toronto could still use another power-play specialist on the blue-line, so Yandle could be a perfect candidate to bring in on a PTO and potentially be someone who pushes Jake Muzzin out the door, as the Leafs still need to clear some salary-cap space.

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