The 29-year-old defenseman is an unrestricted free agent after competing his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes this year. It was a down year for the defenseman in terms of offense, but he's always been known more for his shut-down play anyways. He got into just two playoff games with the Hurricanes this year as he suffered an injury that he could not play through. According to David Pagnotta, multiple teams are reportedly ready to give Pesce the bag this summer, including the Maple Leafs.
While that offense may have dried up a bit this season, Pesce was still a legitimate top-four defender this season and was particularly effective at shutting down opposing rushes. This is one of the most important parts of defending at the NHL level, making the 29-year-old highly sought after.
Pesce has indicated that he would like to re-sign with the Hurricanes during his end-of-season exit interview. However, it is not clear if the team can actually afford to keep him. He is expected to have an AAV of more than 5 million dollars on his next deal, and the Hurricanes have just 26 million dollars in cap space with players like Martin Necas and Seth Jarvis also due extensions. Furthermore, the team has just three proven NHL defensemen signed for next season.
Those factors could very well open the door for the Leafs to swoop in and sign Pesce. Perhaps most importantly, he is right handed which fits the team's needs perfectly. Be sure to keep a close eye on Pesce this summer as the Leafs look to add him to their squad.
