Leafs remain on the hunt for defenceman — The Fourth Period
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their search for a right-shot defenceman to replace and that appears to be a priority for General Manager Brad Treliving.
In his latest column on Monday, TFP’s David Pagnotta reiterated Toronto’s position and their desire to add a blueliner this season in light of the injury and expected season-end-surgery for Chris Tanev.
The Maple Leafs have not yet placed Tanev on LTIR, but may if his regular-season is shut down, upon which they can free up just over $3.8 million in cap space. If Tanev is not going to be able to return in the playoffs, though, the Leafs could place him on season-ending LTIR and use his full $4.5 million cap hit to create space.
Treliving had expressed interest in Rasmus Andersson before the Calgary Flames traded him to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, and the Leafs have been linked to New Jersey rearguard Dougie Hamilton, who the Devils are looking to move.
Hamilton, who currently ranks No.3 on TFP’s Trade Watch List, has two more seasons left on his contract after this season and comes with a $9 million salary cap hit. If the Devils move him, teams prefer to have them retain a portion of his contract.
If Treliving and the Leafs go the stay-at-home route instead of adding a puck-moving defenceman, they could pursuit Zach Whitecloud, whom the Flames acquired from Vegas. Alternatively, the St. Louis Blues are fielding calls for blueliner Justin Faulk, who has another year remaining on his contract.
Toronto currently sits one point out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a 24-17-8 record through 49 games.
