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Five options for Leafs defense if deal is not in their future |
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have been unable to address satisfactorily what many believed was the most pressing need this summer; improving their defense corps.
The signing of veteran blueliner Ron Hainsey on a two-year, $6 Million contract was solid addition, but the 36-year-old Stanley Cup winner is not a significant improvement to the Leafs defense if he is playing on their top two pairings.
Hainsey in Toronto’s top four would likely necessitate Morgan Rielly moving to the right side to play with him or Nikita Zaitsev, while playing on the bottom pairing with Connor Carrick would give the Leafs blueline more depth and stability.
GM Lou Lamoriello expressed confidence with the current state of their blueline heading to training camp, but improvement on last season would rely on either 20-year-old Travis Dermott, SHL Rookie of the Year Andreas Borgman or Swedish import Calle Rosen being able to transition to the NHL into a top-four role as Zaitsev did last season, which might be unrealistic.
but the fact that van Riemsdyk was reportedly included in an offer for Travis Hamonic (which New York turned down) may be an indicator that Toronto misjudged how much trade value the winger had, or more likely that they underestimated how the prices have escalated on blueliners.
With free agents Karl Alzner(Montreal), Kevin Shattenkirk (New York) inked to long-term deals and veteran blueliners Mark Methot (Dallas) and Travis Hamonic (Calgary) dealt elsewhere, the Leafs options to improve on defense without pulling off a significant trade are few and far between.
Here are five possible solutions still open to them:
Andrei Markov – The cat-and-mouse game being played between the Canadiens and 38-year-old defenseman about a new contract might mean that the 17-year NHL veteran would be open to exploring other NHL options.
The reported two-year demand for $6 Million per season and Markov acting as his own agent might be hurdles that the Habs are not willing to jump.
If Toronto had interest in Markov and it would have to be for significantly less than $6 Million. Markov is also left-handed, so the shift of Rielly to the right side would still be necessary.
The Leafs might be willing to go two years with their window before having to pay their young core group, but that would be just as risky as the signings of Patrick Marleau and Hainsey.
Dennis Wideman – There has been little or no buzz regarding the 34-year-old Wideman as a free agent signing since July 1, possibly collateral damage from the January 2016 incident involving linesman Don Henderson.
The Kitchener, ON native has a dozen years of NHL experience, is a right-hand shot and played a top-four for most of his tenure with the Calgary Flames. After scoring 56 points two years ago, Wideman has not exceeded 60 games in a season, but it might be a low-risk option on a one-year deal or even a training camp invite.
Roman Polak – The chatter about Leafs interest in Cody Franson is less believable than another one-year extension for the popular 31-year-old veteran, since Franson’s performance dropped off significantly as a member of the Sabres.
Polak was trusted as a penalty killer/bottom pairing option by Mike Babcock and was elevated to a top-four role over Carrick until suffering the leg injury that ended his season. Failing trade options, re-signing Polak for one year may be a temporary fix, but it does add toughness and experience that would be valuable come playoff time.
Will Butcher - This year’s Jimmy Vesey, the 2017 Hobey Baker award winner is not expected to sign with the Colorado Avalanche after completing his senior season at the University of Denver.
The Leafs have connections to Denver with the signing of forward Trevor Moore last summer and DU alum Tyler Bozak still on the squad.
Butcher is left-handed and about the same size as Carrick (5’10”, 190 lb), but has the skating ability and offensive chops that will have many NHL teams knocking on his door on August 15. The prospect of playing with Auston Matthews might be quite enticing.
Timothy Liljegren - This is a long shot, but the Leafs had a tough time containing themselves with how impressed they were with the 18-year-old Swede at their recent Rookie Development camp.
Liljegren was ranked as a possible top-two pick last fall for a reason, but the Leafs appear to be planning on playing him in the American Hockey League or sending him back to Sweden next season.
The young blueliner has a lot to learn about playing at the defensive end of the ice, but if he impresses Babcock and Leafs management at training camp, then all bets are off.
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