3 Veteran Defenseman Toronto Maple Leafs Should Give PTO

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.

Toronto Maple Leafs Potential PTOs: No. 1: Zdeno Chara

He may be 45-years-old, but the one thing that never changes about him is his size. As Mike Babcock always said, “you can’t teach size.”

At 6-foot-9, 250 pounds, Chara will always be an intimidating factor and someone who can clear the front of the net.

His footspeed is obviously slowing down, but if he still wants to play, why not give him a PTO and see what he’s made of in training camp?

Over the past few years, the Toronto Maple Leafs have always been criticized for their toughness and grit, especially in the playoffs. Who better to fill that role and play that part than Chara, who has over 2,000 PIM’s in his career?

I know it sounds crazy to bring in a player who was drafted to the NHL one year before Auston Matthews was born, but with age, comes experience and that knowledge on the blue-line would be very valuable.

A PTO is a low-risk situation and if Chara falters in training camp, no big deal. Don’t sign him to a contract and move on. However, if he proves that he still has some juice left, it could be a perfect fit for both parties.

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.