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NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs to target $18,000,000 Dallas defenseman in pursuit of top blue liner
The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to be active in free agency as they look to shore up their blue line. While the list of top-level free-agent defensemen is significant, the Maple Leafs have narrowed down their sights on a core group of defensemen.
Insider Elliotte Friedman reports the Maple Leafs are interested in signing the Dallas Stars’ Chris Tanev. Tanev joined Dallas at the trade deadline and will be getting significant attention in the trade market. Similarly, other notable names include Nikita Zadorov and Sean Walker.
Here’s what Friedman had to say on the matter on "Leafs Morning Take":
"I’ve heard that the Leafs are going to try and get two of these guys. Now, Zadorov, I think, it’s likely he hits the market, but I think there’s going to be competition."
If that’s indeed the case, the Leafs may not be keen on pursuing Zadorov.
Friedman said:
"I did have people say to me they think Toronto is going 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."
What those names are remains to be seen. Nevertheless, Friedman pointed toward the Hurricanes’ Brett Pesce, the Avalanche's Sean Walker and the Panthers’ Brandon Montour.
Ultimately, it seems the Leafs will be looking to add Tanev plus one of either Montour, Walker or Pesce. Who the Leafs eventually sign depends on how fierce the competition is for these coveted free-agent defensemen and how much the Leafs are willing to pay.
Maple Leafs unsure about re-signing own RFA defenseman
The Leafs have four RFAs on their roster this offseason. Among them, defenseman Timothy Liljegren's situation stands out as intriguing.
Toronto hoped that Liljegren would become a mainstay in the top four this season. For the most part, Liljegren played in the bottom pairing, often appearing alongside veteran Mark Giordano. In total, Liljegren played 55 games this season.
Additionally, Liljegren battled injuries throughout the season. As such, the Maple Leafs must decide on the young Swedish defenseman. If they resign him, that signals he’s in the club’s future plans. If the Leafs balk at resigning Liljegren, they’ll have a hole to fill in the bottom pairing.
According to Joshua Kloke of The Athletic:
"It sounds like there hasn’t been much dialogue between the Leafs and Liljegren’s camp over his next contract. The Leafs are likely waiting to see how free agency unfolds. Once they know what kind of pieces they can add, they’ll be able to decide where Liljegren fits in their lineup."
As it stands, Liljegren could play anywhere in the bottom four. However, if the Maple Leafs land the big fish they want, Liljegren may get relegated to the bottom pairing for the entire season. Still, he’s a good depth option in case injuries pile up during the season.
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