Maple Leafs Eye Two Top Defensemen for a Stronger Defense Corps.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up to bolster their defense during the offseason and are reportedly set to make significant moves in the free-agent market.
According to former NHL player and current analyst Nick Kypreos of the Toronto Star, the Leafs are targeting two top defensemen: Brandon Montour of the Florida Panthers and Chris Tanev of the Dallas Stars. Both players will become unrestricted free agents on July 1.
“It’s no secret the Leafs will be targeting Florida’s Montour if the pending free agent remains unsigned after this Cup final,” Kypreos wrote. “Chris Tanev is another name that never left (Maple Leafs GM Brad) Treliving’s radar.”
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Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet confirmed the Leafs’ interest in multiple top-tier defensemen on the Leafs Morning Take podcast on June 12, mentioning Montour and Tanev among other potential acquisitions.
“I think they like (Nikita) Zadorov, (Chris) Tanev, (Brandon) Montour, (Brett) Pesce, (Sean) Walker, I think they like all these guys,” Friedman said. “I did have people say to me–they think 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.”
Kypreos suggests the Leafs could sign both Tanev and Montour for a combined cap hit in the $12-13 million range. This is feasible given Toronto’s current cap space, with PuckPedia projecting the Leafs to enter the offseason with $19.7 million available.
Brandon Montour’s Season and Contract Expectations
Montour, still competing in the Stanley Cup Final with the Panthers, will become an unrestricted free agent if not re-signed by July 1. His three-year, $3.5 million deal will expire, and he’s expected to receive a significant raise.
The Athletic projects Montour to sign a contract with an AAV north of $8 million, while Evolving-Hockey estimates a deal around $7 million per season.
In 66 regular-season games, Montour scored 8 goals and 25 assists for 33 points. He has also contributed 3 goals and 7 assists in 21 playoff games through Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Friedman noted that the Panthers might try to retain Montour, adding, “There’s noise being made down here that Florida is going to try to find a way to keep him. I don’t think that’s going to be easy, but I think they’re going to try.”
Maple Leafs Interested in Chris Tanev
The Dallas Stars acquired Tanev before the March 8 trade deadline from the Calgary Flames. At 34, Tanev presents some risk due to potential decline with age.
“Tanev is perfect, but at 34, there is a risk of his game dropping off at any moment,” Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic wrote. “That does drive down the price, especially depending on how long the contract is. Finding the right length is key.”
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The Athletic projects Tanev to sign for around $5 million per year, while Evolving-Hockey estimates a deal around $4.5 million, varying slightly with the term.
In 75 regular-season games, Tanev scored 2 goals and 17 assists for 19 points, and added 2 assists in 19 playoff games.
Friedman highlighted that there will be stiff competition for Tanev in free agency, with the Stars and the Ottawa Senators among his suitors.
“Tanev, I know Dallas wants to try to keep him but I have heard the offers out there are going to be high. Ottawa people are looking at Ottawa might do something for Tanev. So that I think is going to be a big deal,” Friedman said.
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