When Will Toronto Maple Leafs Overhaul Their Defense?

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: General manager Brad Treliving of the Toronto Maple Leafs is seen prior to round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: General manager Brad Treliving of the Toronto Maple Leafs is seen prior to round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
3 of 3
Toronto Maple Leafs
Photo Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Right-Shooting Defense Options for Toronto Maple Leafs

Chris Tanev – Calgary Flames

Chris Tanev is a 33-year-old right-shooting defenseman. He is 6’2, 193 Lbs, and averages 18:29 minutes of ice time. Tanev has one assist, four hits, and 24 blocked shots in 11 games this season.

His contract is a pricy one at $4.5 million, but the Leafs could manage it depending on who they send to Calgary. Like Zadorov, Tanev also has ties to Leafs GM Brad Treliving, who was the Flames GM before coming to the Leafs. His expected goals for are 6.0, and his expected goals against is 7.8.

William Borgen – Seattle Kraken

William Borgen is a 26-year-old right-shooting defenseman. He is 6’3, 204 Lbs, and averages 16:46 minutes of ice time. Borgen has four assists, 24 hits, and 15 blocked shots in 12 games this season. His contract is $2.7 million for two seasons. He will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) after the 2024-25 season. Borgen’s expected goals for is 8.4 and his expected goals against is 6.8.

Any of these five defensemen would be a nice addition to the Toronto Maple Leafs blueline. Hopefully, Brad Treliving can find a way to add one or two of them to the Leafs lineup soon.

If Treliving is thinking of helping this team for both now and beyond this season, his best options from this list are Martin Fehervary and William Borgen.