Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Leafs target of opportunity #1 – Josh Manson

May 14, 2017, 11:06 PM ET [200 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
For the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a look at various players that the Toronto Maple Leafs could be targeting when the off-season begins. The players in question are not being looked at based on rumors, but more because of their contract status, the team’s situation regarding depth at a certain position or protecting players in the upcoming expansion draft.

The Anaheim Ducks are a team that many connect to Toronto regarding possible trades since the two clubs have combined for so many transactions over recent years and the Ducks have a stockpile on the blueline.

In the expansion draft, teams can protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender for eight skaters and one goaltender. Anaheim has three young blueliners in Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen and Cam Fowler that they will undoubtedly want to protect, and veteran Kevin Bieksa who they are obligated to protect since he has a no-movement clause.

If Ducks GM Bob Murray decides to buyout the final year of Bieksa’s contract, it would leave Josh Manson exposed. The 25-year-old son of former Leaf Dave Manson is a good skater, size(6’3”, 215lb) and has a nasty streak like his dad.

With young prospects in Brandon Montour and Shea Theodore already playing for Anaheim in the playoffs and 2015 first round pick Jacob Larsson in the pipeline, Murray could choose to move out one of the top three, but it is more plausible that he trades one of his young prospects with the demand for defensemen being so high and with Manson, Montour and Theodore all coming off their entry-level deals next summer.



Anaheim could choose to protect eight skaters and cover Manson from being exposed, but that would likely result in Jakob Silfverberg being claimed by Vegas.

From the Toronto perspective, head coach Mike Babcock likes his defensive pairings with a left-hand and right-hand shots. Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner and prospect Travis Dermott are lefties and with the potential departure of veteran Roman Polak and the lack of confidence shown by Babcock in Connor Carrick during the playoffs, the Leafs are likely to be looking to bring in a righty.

There have been hints that the Ducks could be the destination for winger James van Riemsdyk if Toronto decides to move him a year before becoming an unrestricted free agent, but the Ducks may prefer to get a young forward (which the Leafs have in ample supply) in exchange.

The other question is whether Toronto believes that Manson has the skill set to be a top-four defenseman. If they do, than a deal between the two frequent trading partners is quite possible before June 21.



*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******

KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz, which includes a free-of-charge 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month afterwards. For more information click here.
Join the Discussion: » 200 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Mike Augello
» Matthews Game-Time Decision; 2023 Draftees Update; Leafs vs. Capitals
» Leafs Frustrated And Immature In Loss To Devils
» Practicing Load Management Down The Stretch; Leafs vs. Devils
» Woll Wonderful In Loss To Canes; Keefe Downplaying Samsonov Injury
» Podcast Sunday – Off The Post Radio