If Leafs GM Brad Treliving makes changes on the Toronto blue line in free agency, he will have several depth choices at his disposal.
torontosun.com
As of today, the Leafs have approximately $9.1 million to spend. Eventually putting Jake Muzzin on long-term injured reserve would free up another $5.6 million, while getting rid of the Matt Murray contract in full would put another $4.6 million on the table. No matter what unfolds, Treliving and assistant general manager Brandon Pridham will have to be crafty as they go about adding pieces.
When not considering the defence corps, the Leafs need to add depth at forward, and if they can unload Murray, adding another goalie with some NHL experience would be wise.
One defenceman who would look good in a Leafs uniform is
Dmitry Orlov, who would fit the kind of mould that Treliving constructed in Calgary. The question is could the Leafs afford to get in a bidding war for Orlov, who is probably going to command four or five years with an annual average value north of $6 million? No.
There are other defencemen in free agency who could be attractive to the Leafs. A glance at some:
Scott Mayfield
Justin Holl, who is not expected back, led the Leafs in ice time while the club was short-handed, and the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Mayfield, most recently with the New York Islanders, could fill that void. Like Holl, Mayfield plays the right side, and like Holl, Mayfield was his team’s busiest penalty killer. Pain isn’t an issue for Mayfield, who was 10th in the NHL in blocked shots with 168.
Radko Gudas
The bearded one would have to make nice with goalie Joseph Woll after screaming in his face when Florida eliminated the Leafs, but with the physical manner in which Gudas plays the game, Woll likely would have a short memory. Gudas hits as often as some people breathe, a quality that the Leafs need on the back end.
Connor Clifton
Another righty, Clifton led Boston in hits last season and was second among Bruins in blocked shots. The 28-year-old isn’t huge at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, but has the kind of grit in his game that would serve the Leafs well.
Ryan Graves
Another good penalty killer, the idea of signing the 28-year-old Graves might be asking for too much. The Nova Scotia native could benefit from the deletions of Severson and Gavrikov from free agency, and as such, might be priced out of the Leafs’ range. There is some physicality in his game and a penchant for blocking shooting lanes.
Carson Soucy
The 6-foot-5 Soucy was sixth among Seattle D-men in total ice time, but was trusted enough to work on the Kraken’s second pairing on the penalty kill. He will turn 29 before the end of the summer, so age remains on his side. Prior speculation has linked Soucy’s name to Toronto.
Matt Dumba
A fresh look would be a good look for Dumba, who has played all of his 598 NHL games with Minnesota. His best offensive days are behind him, though he would bring value from the right side. Like Graves, the price tag could wind up being too high.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Is the man known as OEL, bought out by Vancouver, as effective as he once was? No. Could he provide minutes at a reduced cost? Yes.
