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5 NHL Free Agents Who Could Instantly Transform the Toronto Maple Leafs

By Jeff Borsuk

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JULY 07: President Brendan Shanahan and assistant general manager Hayley Wickenheiser of the Toronto Maple Leafs talk prior to Round One of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bell Centre on July 07, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JULY 07: President Brendan Shanahan and assistant general manager Hayley Wickenheiser of the Toronto Maple Leafs talk prior to Round One of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bell Centre on July 07, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
John Klingberg #3 of the Minnesota Wild skates with the puck  (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

#4 – John Klingberg

The Toronto Maple Leafs would love to have defenseman John Klingberg shutting down opponents for them. If he sees the opportunity to elevate the club and take them to the next level, there’s a chance that he and the Leafs find a way to work out a deal.

The 30-year-old  from Sweden was moved to the Wild at the trade deadline. He was an immediate fit with the team which isn’t surprising. The same was true when Klingberg started in his first and only year with the Anaheim Ducks.

Klingberg spent the first eight years of his NHL career playing for the Dallas Stars. He then bet on himself by signing a one-year deal with the Ducks. It’s proving to have been a strong bet thanks to his outstanding play all season long.

The Leafs would love to add Klingberg. Management would need to ensure that they make space for a large cap hit. That would mean that at the very least, Michael Bunting would walk and they’d try to find a trade partner to get goaltender Matt Murray off the books.

On the Toronto Maple Leafs, Klingberg could continue to play his same style. It would be a welcome addition. Not only is he a reliable defender, bet he’s also a puck moving D-man who can jump into the rush and has the ability to carry the puck out of trouble.

Should Klingberg join the Leafs, he’d challenge to be on their top pairing. Logging big minutes wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for Klingberg who is used to being a heavily relied upon asset to the defense core.

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