Nikita Zadorov, Chris Tanev, Brandon Montour, Brett Pesce, and Sean Walker are notable defensemen the Leafs are reported to go after in the open market on July 1.
Nikita Zadorov, Chris Tanev, Brandon Montour, Brett Pesce, and Sean Walker are notable defensemen the Leafs are reported to go after in the open market on July 1.
Ever since Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving entered the scene in the summer of 2023, he’s been looking for upgrades on the backend, however, no major transactions have materialized. With the NHL Draft and free agency awaiting right around the corner, the speculation has begun to formulate – and the Leafs are at the forefront of it.
On the latest episode of Leafs Morning Take, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman joined the show and discussed numerous free agency targets the Leafs have interest in as the team is reportedly interested in going after not one, but two big-name defensemen.
“I think they like [Nikita] Zadorov, [Chris] Tanev, [Brandon] Montour, [Brett] Pesce, [Sean] Walker, I think they like all these guys,” Friedman stated. “I had people tell me the Leafs were going to try to get two of these guys."
Although there is anticipation in the idea of league-wide competition for some of these defensemen, Friedman is led to believe that regardless, Toronto is “Going to go out to try to get two really good defensemen in the UFA market and they're going to be a force when it comes to some of those names.”
With Joel Edmundson, Ilya Lyubushkin, T.J. Brodie, Mark Giordano, and John Klingberg among the notable unrestricted free agents on the club’s backend come July 1, it’s no secret the club will attack free agency with plenty of viable options available. The Leafs biggest need is on the right side given their lack of depth and preferably a player characterized as a gritty, experienced, and reliable enforcer.
In addition to the names mentioned, Los Angeles Kings’ Matt Roy and Carolina Hurricanes’ Brady Skjei are poised as two alternative options to be added to the top four as well. Not to mention, the club still has the option of 25-year-old restricted free agent Timothy Liljegren, who the Leafs will have to tender a qualifying offer to retain his rights.
As names continue to be thrown into the rumor mill, the Leafs have to be wary of where and how they spread their money, though it may make things difficult with many other potential suitors amongst the 31 other teams looking to add to their roster.
If the Leafs can make a legitimate move on two of the names listed by Friedman, that puts the organization in a great position to fill out their blueline with sizable upgrades come October. With an estimated $19.7 million in cap room according to Puckpedia.com, the Leafs can afford to splurge on the open market and be involved with these notable defensemen.
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