Where Does Each Toronto Maple Leafs Free Agent Defensemen End Up?
I've already predicted where each Maple Leafs free-agent forward will end up, so now it's time to look at the expiring defensemen.
This summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs have one restricted free agent and five unrestricted free agents. Timothy Liljegren is the restricted free agent on the back end while the unrestricted free agents are TJ Brodie, Joel Edmundson, Mark Giordano, Ilya Lyubushkin and John Klingberg. (All contract statistics from CapFriendly.com)
Just like my last article where I made my predictions for the expiring forwards, I'm going to predict where each defenseman ends up as well as the deal.
Treliving has stated countless times since he took over as Leafs general manager he wants to upgrade the blue line. This summer is the first real opportunity he has to make real change on this part of the roster so it'll be interesting to see where he goes this summer.
* Note this was written ahead of free-agency openinging but we'll try to update it as things happen.
Mark Giordano
There was some speculation this offseason as to whether Giordano would retire after last season or if he wants to play again. His agent recently stated Giordano still intends to play after a tough year for him. He played 46 games last season, scoring three goals and six assists for nine points. (All stats from NHL.com)
I think Giordano is a fine seventh or eighth defenseman but if you plan on playing him anything more than that you're asking too much. Ultimately the 40-year-old is from Toronto and has his family here. Treliving will keep Giordano and sign him to a one-year deal at a league minimum average annual value.
Treliving is familiar with Giordano from his time in Calgary and last season. At this point in Giordano's career, I think a short-term, league-minimum deal makes sense.
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.
Ilya Lyubushkin
Lyubushkin fits the description of a Brad Treliving defenseman. He's big and physical which is part of the reason why Treliving acquired Lyubushkin from the Ducks before the deadline. Between his time with Anaheim and Toronto last season, he played 74 games and recorded four points which were all assists.
Lyubushkin was playing with Rielly when he got to Toronto and if he comes back, you can't expect him to play top pair minutes. On a competitive defence core, Lyubushkin is probably your bottom pair or seventh defenseman. He brings physicality which is useful, especially on your bottom pairing.
Ultimately, I think Treliving brings the 30-year-old back on a one-year deal at an AAV of around 2.5 million dollars.
John Klingberg
The John Klingberg situation is an interesting one. Last summer he signed a one-year deal worth 4.15 million dollars. He only played 14 games as a Leaf and it was a rough 14 games for him. Defensively it was a disaster and unfortunately, an injury sidelined him for the rest of the year.
If Klingberg does decide to play again he is going to have to sign a one-year deal at league minimum. The Leafs have great medical resources and have used them to extend player's careers (one example is Tyler Ennis) so that may be appealing to Klingberg. I could see him returning as a depth guy.
Timothy Liljegren
The only restricted free agent on the blue line for the Leafs is 25-year-old Timothy Liljegren. He played 55 games last season, scoring three goals and recording 20 assists for 23 points. Liljegren was drafted by the Leafs in 2017 with the 17th overall pick and has struggled to solidify a role throughout the regular season and into the playoffs. I don't see him being able to command much more than he was earning before which was 1.4 million dollars per year for two years.
I like Liljegren. He was one of the only guys on the blue line last year that could move the puck and, to be honest, I think you gain more from keeping him and playing him than trading him. At the end of the day, Liljegren doesn't fit the mould of a Treliving defenseman and I think he will end up being dealt. Like I already said, I think this would be a mistake but my prediction is Treliving trades Liljegren before the season begins.
Turns out he resigned a 2 x $3 million deal.