The Maple Leafs are expected to target this former Sabre if he hits the market.
The Maple Leafs are expected to target this former Sabre if he hits the market.
Former Buffalo Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour is currently looking to help the Florida Panthers win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. The Panthers are in a great position to make this come to fruition, as they have a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Edmonton Oilers.
However, Montour will still be incredibly busy once this series is over. The 30-year-old's contract is set to expire, and he will surely be getting a significant raise from his current $3.5 million cap hit. Due to the Panthers having several other big-name free agents, there is a real feeling that Montour could hit the market on July 1.
If the Panthers can't come to terms with Montour on a new deal, he will be one of the hottest commodities in free agency. This is because he has blossomed into a star in Florida and is easily the top right-shot defenseman from this year's class. According to Nick Kypreos, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be one of the clubs targeting Montour this summer if he hits free agency.
It is not surprising in the slightest that the Maple Leafs have Montour on their wishlist. They need to desperately improve the right side of their defense if they hope to be a more significant threat in the Eastern Conference next season. Signing Montour would help them achieve this goal, as he is a legitimate top-four defenseman who produces well offensively, plays a steady defensive game, and isn't afraid to throw the body.
While the Maple Leafs are expected to pursue Montour, they won't be the only team interested in the former Sabre. We will need to wait and see what happens with Montour from here, but first, he must help the Cats win the Stanley Cup.
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