There has been a lot of buzz about the Maple Leafs having to acquire a defenseman who would be an excellent partner for Morgan Rielly. With such an ample amount of forward talent, and a chance at landing Vesey, the Maple Leafs are in no immediate rush to acquire a top two defensive partner for Rielly but should certainly entertain the addition of Kevin Shattenkirk or Jacob Trouba.

Shattenkirk is a right handed defenseman who was drafted fourteenth overall in 2007 by Colorado. He has over 400 games in the National Hockey League and plenty of experience on the power-play for an offensive St Louis Blues team. Shattenkirk’s contract ends after the 2016/17 season and he becomes a free agent. Whether or not St Louis plans to keep the quality point producing defender is another story, but without question he would an excellent addition to the Maple Leafs blue line and a quality partner for Morgan Rielly for years to come as Shattenkirk is only 27 years of age.

It’s likely in Toronto’s best interest to let the season play out and assess their prospects accordingly, ensuring they have a good idea of what each player brings for the team. Perhaps Shattenkirk will finish the season in St Louis if the Blues are on their way to their fifth playoff appearance in a row. But with a deal in place if the Blues don’t want to resign Shattenkirk to a hefty contract, perhaps they can trade for younger, cheaper options that the Leafs may be willing to offer.

Remember, Toronto has a boat load of salary opening up by seasons end and at some point this season, or next years off season, it would without a doubt be the time to try and add a top pairing partner for the Maple Leafs young stud Rielly.

Trouba on the other hand is in a different situation with the Winnipeg Jets.

He’s an RFA (restricted free agent) right now as he and the Jets haven’t settled on a new contract as of yet. Winnipeg has a boat load of cash tied up in their defensive core with big Byfuglien at the top making 7.6 a year, followed by Enstrom and Myers making north of 5.5 million each.

Perhaps the Jets are not willing to offer Trouba a contract he likes? Whatever the case may be, if a player with his skill and age, he too would be a quality addition to the Maple Leafs blue line as he’s just 22 years of age. Trouba has 211 games under his best, but hasn’t quite broken out like the Jets would have liked, only getting 21 points last season could be why negotiations are taking some time with his new contract. Winnipeg drafted Trouba 9th overall in 2012 and you can bet he would cost the Leafs a decent package if he were to be traded.

It’s likely the Jets would want some defensive help coming back as they also have quite the quality young crop of forwards. Unless Toronto is willing to give up some of their prospects, perhaps one the Jets have their eyes on, it could be a difficult trade to pull off. Nevertheless, if there are difficulties in negotiations going forward, it would be great to see Lou jump on the opportunity for the Leafs to land another young defenseman who could potentially ride along with Rielly into the sunset.

Both Shattenkirk and Trouba would be two players I would like to see the Leafs inquire about. Whether it is now, in the middle of the season, or at the end of the season, I feel adding a defensive partner for Morgan Rielly to grow with and thrive with is the most important need the Maple Leafs has.

Shanahan and his management team have done a marvelous job at adding in the most needed players by position. The offseason addition of Andersen was by far the most glaring need on the Leafs team, both Bernier and Reimer didn’t get the job done at the end of the day and it was time to move on.

They also managed to add some quality grit to the roster, adding both Rychel and Martin who can both throw their weight around and can chip in some offense while doing so. Another need filled by the wise management team that continues to impress. That’s not where it ended either, the Leafs scooped up Zaitsev to join the core of the defensive end. He’ll likely need a bit of time to adjust, but will certainly add some value to the Leafs once he’s settled in under coach Babcock.

This is why I have faith the new management team will not make the mistake of not adding a quality partner for Morgan Rielly. It may not be right away, but at some point throughout this season or into next off season, Toronto will add someone of value to grow with our cornerstone defenseman in Rielly.

What right handed defensemen would you like to see the Leafs add to their roster to play with Morgan Rielly?

What type of price tag do you think Shattenkirk or Trouba may have for the Leafs to pay?

Thanks for reading, enjoy your hump day.

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