ESPN news: Toronto Maple Leafs target UFA Defenseman set to replace Morgan Rielly……

This summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs intend to make some adjustments. They will examine the upcoming UFA defensemen, among other things.

Morgan Rielly has been the Maple Leafs’ best defenseman for a number of years and the club member with the longest contract. Rielly has had a number of d-partners over those seasons, but none of them was able to establish themselves as the top pairing.

Rielly has played a lot of ice time with T. J. Brodie and Ilya Lyubushkin in recent years. However, those two have pending UFAs this summer, and it appears that Brodie will look to trade.

Soon after a coach is hired, roster choices may start while #LeafsForever evaluates HC options. They’ve indicated interest in having Tyler Bertuzzi return, I’ve been told. Nonetheless, TJ Brodie, who is anticipated to test the UFA market, is one player who is unlikely to return. This link: t.co/4djxflYFOB

— May 15, 2024, David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod)

Furthermore, UFA defensemen Joel Edmundson and Mark Giordano are still pending.

Rielly, though, might be a valuable asset in the off-season as there have been rumors that one of the Leafs’ main players could be traded. In the interim, the Leafs may want to look at these defensemen in free agency.

The Maple Leafs’ Free Agent Defenseman Targets

Brandon Montour
Players that can perform well in the postseason are something the Toronto Maple Leafs could use on their roster, and Brandon Montour is undoubtedly one such player. Montour has scored 24 points as a defenseman for the Florida Panthers in 47 postseason contests. He has eight points in ten games so far in postseason season, five of which came in their series against the Boston Bruins.

The 30-year-old is renowned for his attacking instincts and puck-moving skills. Despite this, he plays a decent physical game, is a strong defensive player, and participated in the Stanley Cup Finals the previous season.

John Klingberg, an offensive defenseman, was signed by Leafs general manager Brad Treliving to a one-year contract during the previous off-season. He sought to increase the amount of scoring from the blue line as, upon taking over as general manager, he had observed that it was lacking. Regretfully, Klingberg spent the whole season on LTIR due to a hip ailment he sustained early in the year.

Montour will be a contender if Treliving continues to believe that additional offensive production needs to be added to the back end.

The Brantford native could see a significant income increase, though. With his current contract, he makes $3.5 million annually; however, given his recent play, he might earn as much as $7-9 million annually in his next contract. To make that signing materialize, the Maple Leafs will need to find some space.

Pesce, Brett
The Leafs may want to fill Brodie’s skates with a shutdown defenseman if he decides not to re-sign. With all of his skills, Brett Pesce is the ideal candidate for a top pairing position on the Maple Leafs. For the Carolina Hurricanes, he is an excellent penalty taker, blocks shots, and plays a lot of minutes.

With all these defensive attributes and being a right-handed defenseman, Pesce would be a great fit to go along with Rielly. Rielly scored 72 points and had a career-high 20 goals in the 2018–2019 campaign. This demonstrates what Rielly is capable of when given the right circumstances, and the possibilities are unlimited when a new coach and possibly a new partner are involved. Rielly will be able to spread his wings offensively if he is paired with Pesce.

Brady Skjei

Brady Skjei is a fantastic offensively skilled player who is a future UFA defenseman, much like Montour. He leads the Hurricanes’ top powerplay unit at quarterback right now. Similar to Montour, Skjei has been playing exceptionally well in the playoffs; in 11 games, he has scored nine points.

The Hurricanes probably won’t be able to re-sign Skjei, so it makes sense to go after him in free agency along with Pesce. Numerous gifted players on the Canes are UFAs come summertime. On July 1st, Jake Guentzel, Teuvo Teravainen, Martin Necas, Seth Jarvis, and Jack Drury of RFA will all require attention.

Zadorov, Nikita
Nikita Zadorov, who is 6’6 and 248 pounds, has the potential to be a huge addition to Toronto’s blue line. For most of his career, the next UFA defenseman has been a force to be reckoned with. But he’s been excellent since being traded to the Vancouver Canucks.

The most common criticism of the Leafs among their supporters is that they are not tough enough. Well, getting Zadorov will quickly alter that story.

It would not be at all outlandish to strike this possible deal. GM Treliving and Zadorov are well acquainted, having played together with the Calgary Flames just a season prior. Additionally, Treliving expressed curiosity and followed up with Zadorov following reports that he had submitted a trade request. Consequently, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if there are rumors this off-season linking Zadorov to Toronto.

Apart from his contributions on the ice, it’s important to acknowledge his conduct off the ice as well. Being a leader, Zadorov is unaffected by competing in Canadian markets. He has faced the media in Calgary and Vancouver before, and he is not hesitant to tell it like it is. He is a player who prioritizes winning over all else, which is a terrific trait to have in a Stanley Cup contender.