Friedman drops a bombshell regarding the Leafs search for a defenseman

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Tom Banks
January 29, 2024 (7:48 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have long been searching for help on their blue line and with the trade deadline looming, their search is ramping up to a major level.

Toronto looking at 'every' defenseman in the league?

While it may sound like hyperbole, it appears as though the Maple Leafs are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to their defensive search according to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman.

«As I always say, I think I've said it 40 times this year, Toronto's looking at every defenceman in the league. That's what I just keep hearing. If there is a defenceman they like, they're going to try to get him.»

Whether it's a rental, a veteran on a short-term deal, a young player with a bright future or anything in between, Toronto are reportedly scouting them, and with Brad Treliving looking to make a mark in his first season as GM, this makes perfect sense.

Who are some options for Toronto?

You won't have to look far to see several candidates that make sense for Toronto, with both Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin of Treliving's former team both making sense, but Friedman expands on that and reveals many more names.

Everyone from Jakob Chychrun to Nikita Zadorov to Adam Boqvist and so many others could reportedly be landing in Toronto, and with their core now locked up, it's now-or-never for the Maple Leafs, and adding a key piece on defense may be the thing that helps them on a deep Stanley Cup Playoff run.

As Read on The Leafs Nation - Friedman: Toronto's looking at every defenceman in the league