Where Does Each Toronto Maple Leafs Free Agent Defensemen End Up?
Joel Edmundson
Treliving traded for Edmundson at the deadline last season giving up a 2024 third-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick. Between his time in Washington and Toronto last season, he played 53 games scoring one goal and recorded five assists for six points.
Edmundson played his role well for the Leafs in the playoffs. He was physical and played well in his stay-at-home role. He struggles when it comes to skating and isn't a puck mover which I think this Leafs team should be adding to the backend.
Tyler Myers signed a three-year extension with Vancouver at an average annual value of 3 million dollars. I think this is probably a comparable deal for Edmundson. My prediction for Edmundson is he signs a two-year deal with an AAV of 2 to 2.5 million dollars in Dallas.
Dallas is buying out Ryan Suter which would leave them with two defensemen under contract if they're also unable to retain Chris Tanev. Edmundson could play a role on the bottom pair for the Stars on a cheap deal.
It turns out Edmundson went to LA for 4 x $3.8
TJ Brodie
Brodie is coming off a four-year deal with the Leafs, where he made 5 million a year against the cap. Three out of the four years of that deal Brodie was great for the Leafs and probably their second-best defenseman. Last season was a tough one for Brodie and I think he could use a change of scenery. He played 78 games, scoring one goal and recording 25 assists for 26 points and was scratched in all but one game in the playoffs.
Brodie is a left-hand shot who can play both the right and left side. Looking back at his tenure in Toronto he was very reliable defensively in three of his four years. He is 34 and is going to have to take a shorter-term deal as well as take a pay cut.
Treliving talks a lot about getting bigger and more physical guys in this lineup and Brodie doesn't fit that description. I can't see Treliving bringing Brodie back. My prediction is that TJ Brodie will sign a one-year deal worth 2 million dollars in Pittsburgh. Dubas signed Brodie's last deal and I could see him signing him again to fill a bottom pair role.