3 Players the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Consider for a PTO

Libor Hajek:

Libor Hajek is a 6’2 left-handed defenceman who is a smooth, deceptive skater but struggles at making the smart play in his defensive zone.

When he broke into the league in 2019-20, he played 28 games alongside Jacob Trouba on the Rangers top pair.

Since then, Hajek was slowly demoted down the lineup until last year, when he was no longer a top 6 defenseman and was sitting in the press box most nights.

That being said, a player who once was praised for his defensive prowess could make a comeback with a new team and system. After all, the coaching change from David Quinn to Gerrard Gallant in the summer of 2021 was the turning point in Hajek’s career.

Going from Quinn’s high-effort, 200-foot hockey to Gallant’s exuberant, offensive-based approach may have been one that did not benefit Hajek.

Considering that Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe has a very effective five-man defensive system on their side of the blueline, Hajek would fit right in with the team’s style of play and could be a cheaper alternative to Connor Timmins.

As training camp nears, potential PTO signings like Maxime Comtois, Josh Leivo, and Libor Hajek could provide much-needed depth and fit within the Toronto Maple Leafs system.