The Maple Leafs made long-term commitments to Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Is it enough to remake the look and feel of Toronto's defense? The Toronto Maple Leafs added to their depth late Tuesday by signing three players to NHL minimum deals. Toronto signed defensemen Dakota Mermis and Philippe Myers to one-year deals worth $775,000, while forward Cedric Pare is on a two-way deal that will pay him $775,000 at the NHL level. MERMIS SCOUTING REPORT Mermis is a strong skater with good mobility, whose speed and agility allow him to move effectively in both offensive and defensive zones. He can be depended on in his own zone and has been known to effectively disrupt plays from his opponents. Work Ethic: Mermis is known for his strong work ethic and determination. He is often seen making the effort plays that don't always show up on the scoresheet. Versatility: He can play in various situations, including penalty killing and even strength. He served as captain of the Iowa Wild, Minnesota's farm team He isn't the biggest defenseman at 6-foot-0 and 195 pounds and he doesn't put up a lot of points either. The undrafted 30-year-old would make for a good leader in the Toronto Marlies room if he ends up there. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egd5Y3xTcf4[/embed] MYERS SCOUTING REPORT Myers is a 6-foot-6 defenseman with 158 games of NHL experience split between the Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning. He has spent most of the last two seasons in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch but was effective at the AHL level four goals and 19 assists in 61 games in 2023-24. His size and reach allows him to effectively break up plays and win battles along the board and he's a good skater for his size. While with the Nashville Predators during the 2021-22 season, the club loaned him to the Toronto Marlies where he had two goals and five assists, so there is some familiarity with his game, if he ends up there. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytDIxse_5Lg[/embed] Now and then his decision-making can come into question, and his injury history has likely led to his descent from the NHL ranks to the AHL. PARE SCOUTING REPORT The Toronto Maple Leafs are familiar with Pare having invited the forward to their 2021 prospects development camp and prospects tournament in Traverse City, Michigan. He had a memorable scrap in that tournament with 2021 Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Ben Boyd. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQInyZ6m1V4[/embed] Despite being drafted by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round ( 173rd overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, this will be Pare's first NHL contract after 148 games in the AHL. At 6-foot-4, he uses his strength and size to be a net-front presence and has an ability to consistently win faceoffs. He's leveraged that to improve his production offensively. Pare had 14 goals and 21 assists in 61 games last season with the Colorado Eagles (AHL). [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E0C1h5V7i8[/embed] Likely outcome: All three players are destined to start the season with the Toronto Marlies, but injuries can create opportunities and two of the three players have solid NHL experience. Related 'I Was Told His Knee Is Bone-On-Bone': What's the Story With New Maple Leafs' NHL Free Agent Acquisition Jani Hakanpaa? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-was-told-his-knee-is-bone-on-bone-whats-the-story-with-new-maple-leafs-nhl-free-agent-acquisition-jani-hakanpaa] ‘They Were Definitely Having Conversations, Or Had A Conversation, On (Jeff) Skinner, On (Adam) Henrique’: Maple Leafs Inquired About Pair of Now-Oilers Forwards [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/they-were-definitely-having-conversations-or-had-a-conversation-on-jeff-skinner-on-adam-henrique-maple-leafs-inquired-about-pair-of-forwards-amid-offensive-needs-according-to-report] Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten Headline Invitees to Maple Leafs 2024 Development Camp, Full Roster [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/going-camping-maple-leafs-announce-2024-development-camp-roster] News from THN.com Which Canadian NHL Teams Are Closest to Winning the Cup After the Start of Free Agency? [https://thehockeynews.com/news/which-canadian-nhl-teams-are-closest-to-winning-the-cup-after-the-start-of-free-agency] NHL Free Agency: Grading 10 Teams for Their Off-Season Actions – or Lack Thereof [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-free-agency-grading-10-teams-for-their-off-season-actions-or-lack-thereof] Chicago Blackhawks Continue to Build Up with Bertuzzi, Teravainen and More NHL UFA Signings [https://thehockeynews.com/news/chicago-blackhawks-continue-to-build-up-with-bertuzzi-teravainen-and-more-nhl-ufa-signings]
