Maple Leafs Sign Hulking 6'5, 225-Pound Defenseman to a 3-Year Contract
Photo credit: Neutral Zone
The Toronto Maple Leafs have added to their prospect pool by signing hulking 6-foot-5-inch defenseman Blake Smith to a 3-year entry-level contract.
The Maple Leafs were dealt a bit of a blow to their prospect system earlier today when it was learned that three players from the Toronto Marlies of the AHL may be headed off to Europe.
While it's still early, Leafs GM Brad Treliving is already working on restocking the prospect cupboard just in case.
To that end, the Maple Leafs announced on Thursday that they've signed a huge defenceman from the OHL, who went undrafted in his first eligible year, locking up Blake Smith of the Flint Firebirds to a three-year entry-level deal. At 225 pounds, Smith fits right in with what Leafs GM Brad Treliving looks for in his blueliners.
Smith is a left-shot defenceman described by EliteProspects.com as a physical player with great skating abilities.
"Smith's an overpowering physical presence and a fluid skater. A deep, clean stride and powerful crossover close distance on opponents fast. His defensive skating 'knees bent, chest up, and c-cuts and heel pushes over crossovers' steadily guides opponents into the boards, right into a heavy shoulder."
Smith has spent the last three seasons with the Flint Firebirds putting up career numbers in 2024-25 with 10 goals and 32 points in 64 games.
With Matthew Knies seemingly about to cash in big time on his next deal with the Maple Leafs , Treliving has a delicate balancing act to perform over the summer, making sure he can sign Knies, and others without breaking the bank.
In the meantime, the search for prospects is a never-ending process for NHL GMs, and Blake Smith certainly has the physical elements needed to become an NHL player.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 10 | 2382 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Sign Hulking 6'5, 225-Pound Defenseman to a 3-Year Contract Do you think signing Blake Smith of the OHL is a good move by Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving? | ||
| Yes | 1712 | 71.9 % |
| No | 149 | 6.3 % |
| Not sure | 521 | 21.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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