Leafs reportedly narrow their focus to two significant free agent defensemen
The Toronto Maple Leafs are hellbent on improving the blueline this summer and the latest report has them targeting two big-name UFA defensemen in Chris Tanev and Brandon Montour.
Viable leads for Leafs news have been very tough to come by this summer, but Nick Kypreos has shown in recent years that he does have some solid connections and has broken some interesting news in the past. So, when Kypreos suggested this week that Tanev and Montour could both land in Toronto this summer, naturally, it was exciting news for fans who want to see a stronger Leafs blueline in 2024-25.
"It's no secret the Leafs will be targeting Florida's Montour if the pending free agent remains unsigned after this Cup final. Chris Tanev is another name that never left Treliving's radar.
It's conceivable the Leafs could land both with a combined spend of $12 million to $13 million (U.S.) of the roughly $19 million in cap space that's available to them. How different would the Leafs' blue line look next season with top-four pairings of Montour/Jake McCabe and Morgan Rielly/Tanev?"
-Kypreos on the Leafs targeting Tanev and Montour
It's conceivable the Leafs could land both with a combined spend of $12 million to $13 million (U.S.) of the roughly $19 million in cap space that's available to them. How different would the Leafs' blue line look next season with top-four pairings of Montour/Jake McCabe and Morgan Rielly/Tanev?"
-Kypreos on the Leafs targeting Tanev and Montour
Unfortunately, if Kypreos' projection comes through, it won't leave the Maple Leafs with a whole lot of room to sign both Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi, so we may be in a position this summer where they're forced to sign just one of them and move on from the other.
With the blueline being arguably the area in need of the most attention on the roster, adding two of the top UFA defensemen may solve a lot of problems in Toronto. The question is, will it create holes in other areas? Time will tell, but it's certainly worth noting that both Tanev and Montour have gone on strong runs with Dallas and Florida in this year's playoffs and that experience would be of great benefit to the Maple Leafs.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 16 | 288 ANSWERS Leafs reportedly narrow their focus to two significant free agent defensemen Should the Leafs target both of Chris Tanev and Brandon Montour? | ||
| Yes to both | 161 | 55.9 % |
| No to both | 36 | 12.5 % |
| Yes to Tanev, no to Montour | 43 | 14.9 % |
| Yes to Montour, no to Tanev | 48 | 16.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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