The Chris Tanev Signing Will Determine Treliving's Toronto Maple Leafs Legacy
The Leafs general manager signed a familiar face to augment the team's defense. The team's most notable offseason addition was a bold move that will ultimately play a significant role in how his term as GM is viewed.
Brad Treliving has started putting his stamp on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now into his second full season as general manager, the responsibility for the team's success falls more on his shoulders.
During his first summer at the helm, Treliving dipped his toe in the pool and signed players to one-year deals without a prolonged commitment. Though the Toronto Maple Leafs had a pretty awful summer, at least they didn't commit long-term to any of their mistakes.
After taking a year to assess the roster, Treliving took a different approach to this year's free agency. He identified the team's weaknesses in goal and defense and signed players to multi-year deals in hopes of improvement.
By making these moves, Treliving has sole ownership in the Leafs success or failure during the coming seasons.
The Chris Tanev Signing Will Determine Treliving's Toronto Maple Leafs Reputation
Treliving's first year in Toronto is best described as a mixed bag of success. He signed star players Auston Matthews and William Nylander to extensions. He should be commended for getting those important contracts done, but the moves were no-brainers.
With front-office employees departing from the Kyle Dubas era and a lack of significant trades, the spotlight has shifted to Treliving.
The Maple Leafs and Treliving signed goaltender Anthony Stolarz, and defensemen Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to multi-year, free-agent deals.
Treliving also signed goaltender Joseph Woll to an extension and brought back winger/center Max Domi, both with multi-year commitments.
The allegiance to these players outside of the core already in place represents Treliving's first major roster construction.
Tanev Was the Leafs Most Important Addition
Signing the 34-year-old Tanev to six years to stabilize the Leafs defense is Treliving's most significant player acquisition during his brief tenure. It will ultimately determine how his era as the Maple Leafs GM is viewed.
Treliving has familiarity with Tanev from their days with the Calgary Flames. It was well-documented that the Leafs were pursuing the defenseman approaching last year's NHL Trade Deadline.
Tanev brings attributes such as puck-moving, shot-blocking, and a hockey IQ that the Maple Leafs desperately need on their back end. Scouting reports suggest the move may pay dividends.
Pairing Tanev with the Leafs longest-serving, best defenseman, Morgan Rielly is the most logical choice.
The six-year term was necessary to get Tanev signed, yet it comes with risk. The aging defenseman will be counted on to play significant minutes in a role that makes him susceptible to injury.
When Tanev reaches his late thirties, in the later years of the contract, there could be significant attrition in his play (see Mark Giordano, Ryan Suter). He could decline right now, there is no way to know.
Over the first few years of the deal, Tanev will have a critical role in the Leafs success. If he stabilizes the Maple Leafs defense while bringing an uptick to Rielly's play and helps achieve postseason success, his signing will be lauded.
If none of those are attained, criticism of the deal will ensue.
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For better or worse, signing Chris Tanev is the first of Brad Treliving's noteworthy moves. It will impact how his legacy with the Toronto Maple Leafs is viewed.