Chris Tanev
Chris Tanev is a 34-year-old right-shooting defenseman who could help the Leafs on their first or second defense pairing.
Tanev averages 19-20 minutes a night and is a good shot blocker. He is a stay-at-home defensive defenseman, so it would be wise to pair him with a puck-moving defense partner like Morgan Rielly or Timothy Liljegren.
He registered two goals and 17 assists for 19 points in 75 games this season, split between the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars. He also registered 207 blocked shots and 45 hits. He is well known to Leafs GM Brad Treliving from his time with the Flames. That might make signing him easier. Tanev has a career total of 33 goals and 157 assists for 190 points in 792 games.
The Leafs will lose veteran defenseman Mark Giordano in free agency or retirement. Tanev would be a much-needed shot blocker with Giordano gone. Tanev's shot-blocking would be helpful in the playoffs. He recorded two assists in 19 playoff games for the Stars this season, as well as 30 hits and 73 blocked shots.
Tanev is coming off a deal with a $4.5 million salary cap hit which was given to him by Treliving. He could sign for a similar amount or slightly more in free agency. Some teams will be cautious due to his injury history, but I can see Treliving making Tanev an offer. We'll see if Tanev agrees to the offer or decides to play elsewhere.