The Best and worst moves by the Toronto Maple Leafs this offseason

Best Move: The Signing of Defenseman Chris Tanev

Perhaps a move that many fans have been desperately wanting for years, the Leafs finally brought home one of the best defensive defenseman in the game in Chris Tanev during free agency this offseason.

In signing the six-foot-two, 190-plus pound defensive monster, it essentially gives top-pairing defenseman Morgan Rielly his strongest partner he has ever had during his tenure with Toronto.

If one actually recalled how Rielly took off with his offensive game when he was paired back then with the defensively-minded veteran Ron Hainsey, just imagine how his game could massively jump to unbelievable levels with a partner like Tanev. Think Erik Karlsson and Marc Methot back in their days with the Ottawa Senators.

Although one may argue that Tanev’s six-year deal could become a huge albatross as it reaches the latter years of the contract, it was certainly needed to convince the defensive stalwart that the Leafs were in it to win it.

Considering that his entire contract totalled $27 million, for an elite defenseman like Tanev that could have potentially demanded over $6 million a year, if the Leafs get at least four good years out of him, it should be more than worth it.

But, all that said, there is no guarantee they even get one good year out of him. At his age, all NHL players are capable - even likely - to fall off the preverbial cliff. As long as Tanev keeps Father Time at bay, this is a good move, but it has the potential to be terrible at any time.