Brett Pesce
Brett Pesce is a 29-year-old right-shooting defenseman who could help the Leafs on their top defense pairing.
He averages 20-21 minutes a night and is a decent shot blocker. Pesce is a stay-at-home defenseman but is not afraid to jump in when needed. Pairing him with Rielly on the top pair would be a nice addition to the Leafs.
Pesce registered three goals and ten assists for 13 points in 70 games this season with the Carolina Hurricanes. He also registered 113 blocked shots and 25 hits. Pesce has a career total of 39 goals and 159 assists for 198 points in 627 games.
The Leafs will need a good shot-blocker next season with veteran defenseman Mark Giordano in free agency or retirement. Pesce would fill that role and allow Rielly to play more offensively. His career playoff record is five goals and 16 assists for 21 points in 57 playoff games.
Pesce is coming off a deal with a $4.025 million salary cap hit. He will receive offers of around $6 million from some teams. I'm not sure if the Leafs will be one of those teams. It will depend on how much Treliving values Pesce over other defensemen. Some teams will be cautious due to his injury history, but I don't see it stopping Treliving from making Pesce an offer.
Whether Pesce is the only defenseman out of these five that Treliving is able to sign or if he manages to sign two of them, it will be a good off-season for the Leafs.