Leafs Miss Out as Former Brad Treliving Draft Pick Signs PTO With Eastern Conference Rival

Professional tryout (PTO) season is officially underway, giving NHL teams a chance to take a closer look at players on the roster bubble without making any firm commitments.

Just last year, the Toronto Maple Leafs brought in Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz, while the Edmonton Oilers reunited with fan favourite Sam Gagner on a tryout deal. For teams looking to add depth, these opportunities can provide valuable insurance.

This time around, the Carolina Hurricanes are taking a swing, offering a PTO to Oliver Kylington.

At 6'0 and 185 pounds, Kylington isn't a bruising, shutdown defenseman like Chris Tanev, but his offensive instincts set him apart. He reads the ice well, moves the puck effectively, and brings a vision that the Maple Leafs, in particular, could use on their blueline.

One of Toronto's ongoing questions is who will quarterback the power play. Morgan Rielly seems poised to return to the role, but beyond him, the only other true option is Oliver Ekman-Larsson. While Ekman-Larsson has the tools, both he and Rielly struggled with consistency last season.

That's where a player like Kylington could have been valuable, even as a seventh defenseman to start. If Benoit or Ekman-Larsson fall flat to start the season, Kylington would have been a strong fallback option.

And while Kylington likely wouldn't play twenty minutes a night, he seems to thrive next to a defensive-minded guy. And Benoit seems to fit the bill perfectly, if Ekman-Larsson were to get injured or have a bad start. Depth never hurts.

Having spent time alongside Tanev earlier in his career, Kylington has shown he can hold his own next to steady partners. Instead, the Hurricanes beat the Leafs to the punch, adding another intriguing piece to their defensive depth.