After rumors about acquiring restricted free agents Tyson Barrie, Matt Dumba, Kevin Shattenkirk or Cam Fowler in a trade or signing UFA defensemen Kris Russell, James Wisniewski or Luke Schenn , the Toronto Maple Leafs went back to familiar option on the blueline, signing former Leaf Roman Polak to a one-year deal for $2.25 Million on Saturday.
The 30-year-old Czech spent nearly two seasons with the Leafs before being dealt on February 22 with forward Nick Spaling to San Jose for forward Raffi Torres and the Sharks 2017 and 2018 second round picks.
The re-signing is a prudent move by GM Lou Lamoriello, as the right-handed Polak fulfills the need for a veteran blueliner on a short-term basis, instead of having to offer a long-term deal in a very thin and costly defensive free agent market.
CSN’s
Joe Haggerty indicated Toronto had offered a four-year, $17 Million deal to Russell and were rebuffed by the former Flames and Stars defenseman, but agent Allain Roy took to Twitter on Sunday to deny that Russell had turned down the Leafs.
With Polak back in the fold, the Leafs could be done adding to their blueline, with seven defensemen (Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, Matt Hunwick, RFA’s Martin Marincin, Connor Carrick and Frank Corrado) that played in the NHL last season and the addition of Nikita Zaitsev, who is expected to make the opening night roster.
If Toronto does have interest in bringing in more defensive depth, it is more likely that they opt for Wisniewski, who could be amenable to a one-or-two year deal after tearing his ACL in the season opener with Carolina last season.
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The Maple Leafs also signed defenseman Justin Holl to a one-year entry-level contract. The 24-year-old Holl played last season on an AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies and registered 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in 60 games.
The former Hawks draft pick will be a stabilizing force on the Marlies defense with team captain Andrew Campbell, who will be adding rookies Travis Dermott and Andrew Nielsen next season. Stuart Percy signed with Pittsburgh on July 1 and the return of Eddie Shore Award winner TJ Brennan is in question.
The club also signed forward Colin Smith to an AHL contract on Sunday. The former Colorado Avalanche draft pick was obtained in the Shawn Matthias deal on February 21 and scored 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 23 games for the Marlies last season.
Smith assumed a great deal of the scoring burden when William Nylander and other Marlies were called up to the NHL after the deadline.
With veterans Mark Arcobello (Switzerland) and Sam Carrick (Chicago) signing elsewhere and Nylander projected to be with the Leafs, Smith could assume a top-six role with the Marlies. Other center candidates for the AHL affiliate could be Byron Froese, Frederik Gauthier, 2016 fourth round pick Adam Brooks and unsigned 2011 draft pick Tony Cameranesi.
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Listen to the Season Finale of “Off The Post” with myself, Russ Cohen and Anthony Mingioni, as we discuss the free agent signings on July 1:
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