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3 Defenseman the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Try to Trade For

By Stephen Nixon

OTTAWA, CANADA - NOVEMBER 11: Chris Tanev #8 of the Calgary Flames skates against the Ottawa Senators of the Calgary Flames skates against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on November 11, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, CANADA - NOVEMBER 11: Chris Tanev #8 of the Calgary Flames skates against the Ottawa Senators of the Calgary Flames skates against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on November 11, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs need to trade for a defenseman, as soon as humanly possible.

Prior to the start of the 2023-24, the Toronto Maple Leafs could have used two more defenseman, but after multiple injuries, they’re in desperation mode.

The Seattle Kraken are not a good hockey team, yet the Leafs allowed them to get 40 shots on net and force a shootout, which they luckily won. After securing a 3-1 lead in the third period, Toronto should have put their foot down and won this game easily, but instead, they were narrowly victorious.

It took a hat-trick performance from fish-bowl Mitch Marner and another unbelievable game from Joseph Woll, including a world-class save in overtime, for them to secure the win.

Thanks to Woll, the Leafs defense was once again bailed out, but that can’t last all season. It’s nice to be able to have faith in your goaltender every night, but if the Leafs are allowing 30-40 shots on a nightly basis, they’re bound to lose more than they win.

As it currently stands, the Leafs sit seventh worst in shots allowed this year, averaging just shy of 33 shots per night. The only teams who are worse than them are the San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders, St. Louis Blues and Montreal Canadiens.

No offense to those teams listed, but none of them were Stanley Cup favorites prior to the season, whereas the Leafs were a top-five favorite on most sportsbooks you looked at.

With a current rotation of Simon Benoit, William Lagesson, Jake McCabe, Conor Timmins, Morgan Rielly and TJ Brodie, the Toronto Maple Leafs need to make a few moves to improve their defense immediately and these three players could help.

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