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Ho-Sang heading to China, Leafs interested in Chiarot?

January 25, 2022, 5:42 PM ET [234 Comments]
Mike Augello
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Team Canada announced their roster for the Beijing Olympics on Tuesday and as has been rumored for weeks, Toronto Marlies forward Josh Ho-Sang was among the 25 players named. Ho-Sang has 20 points (11 goals, 9 assists) in 27 AHL games after being cast off by the New York Islanders last season.



Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Tuesday that the Maple Leafs considered signing the former first-round pick in December when Mitch Marner and Ondrej Kase were out of the lineup, but decided not to because an NHL deal would exclude the Toronto native from playing in China once the league opted not to participate in the Winter Games.

Other than China, all countries participating have revealed their rosters. The list of prospects ex-Leafs and former members of the Toronto organization includes:

Daniel Winnik (Canada)
Korbinian Holzer (Germany)
Nick Abruzzese (USA - unsigned prospect)
Matthew Knies (USA - unsigned prospect)
Kenny Agostino (USA)
Kirill Semyonov (Russia)
Fabrice Herzog (Switzerland)
Denis Malgin (Switzerland)
Mikko Lehtonen (Finland)
Miro Aaltonen (Finland)
Leo Komarov (Finland)
Martins Dzierkals (Latvia)
Martin Marincin (Slovakia)
Kristian Pospisil (Slovakia)
Pontus Holmberg (Sweden)

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The Leafs are likely going to be on the hunt for a blueline upgrade before the March 21 trade deadline, but it will take some deft maneuvering from GM Kyle Dubas to make it possible. In his 32 Thoughts column last week, Friedman indicated that Toronto may be open to moving out some salary to make adding a defenseman possible and he along with TSN’s Darren Dreger have since mentioned the Leafs having an interest in Montreal blueliner Ben Chiarot.

Toronto was reportedly interested in the 30-year-old Hamilton native as a free agent before signing with the Habs in 2019 and his physicality and $3.5 million salary might be a better fit than other pending free agents Mark Giordano, John Klingberg, and Rasmus Ristolainen.

The Leafs appear to need to add depth, preferably someone to play the right side with Jake Muzzin or Rasmus Sandin. Chiarot is a lefty shot but has played both sides with Winnipeg and Montreal, giving Toronto some flexibility and an experienced hand going into the playoffs. The cost could be prohibitive with Chiarot the type of defenseman that postseason-bound clubs are looking for and reports are that Montreal is looking for at least a first round pick in return.

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