The Toronto Maple Leafs search for a defenseman who can play the right side
Maple Leafs Hot Stove: (transcription by MLHS) Bob McKenzie on TSN 1050 on the Toronto Maple Leafs search for a right-handed defenseman.
The Maple Leafs longer-term need is a right-handed defenseman. They may feel that Tyson Barrie will want more money and term than they are comfortable with. They might be okay with a left-handed defenseman who has a lot of experience on the right side. Having term on a deal is also important.
“Preferably, they would like more than a year and change. They would like two and change, three and change, four and change, five and change — whatever the case may be, but then the number has to be favourable.”
As previously mentioned, it will likely cost a significant forward.
“Everybody is assuming that could be Kapanen, Johnsson, or Kerfoot. Those are the guys that most of the teams want because, as much as the Leafs want a defenseman who has a favourable cap hit and term on their deal, the teams that they are going to be talking about getting one of those defensemen probably wants a forward who is also of similar age, experience, and contract AAV. The needle becomes even tighter to thread.”
Potential names that they could be interested in include Matt Dumba and Josh Manson.
Maple Leafs Hot Stove: (transcription by MLHS) Darren Dreger on TSN 1050 on who Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas could be talking to.
“Matt Dumba’s name from the Minnesota Wild has been out there. I know that there has been at least a discussion between Kyle Dubas and Billy Guerin of the Minnesota Wild. It doesn’t mean that they’re throwing names back and forth and seeing if there is a fit. It’s just that Dubas is in that place where if he thinks there is any defenseman that might improve the Toronto Maple Leafs or give them a little bit more depth in that position, he has to investigate it.”
What about Ottawa Senators defenseman Ron Hainsey? It’s doubtful the Senators will just give him away.
“Is Kyle Dubas in a position where — even though he knows Ron Hainsey can help — he is going to give up a better piece than he’d like for Ron Hainsey? Maybe he will if he gets to the trade deadline and there is nothing else.”
