Maple Leafs officially reach out to the Flyers for a defenseman
It's no secret the Toronto Maple Leafs have their eyes set on a defenseman. The big target is Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Sean Walker.
Walker's stock in the NHL trade market is skyrocketing. With his playing style and a reasonable cap hit of $2.65 million, he's catching the attention of many teams out there.
The Flyers, who weren't initially expected to be playoff contenders this season, have been surprising everyone with their performance. And a big part of that resurgence has been the 29-year-old. Since he arrived from the Los Angeles Kings, Walker has been reliable on the backend.
Leafs' Defensive Dilemma: The Case for Sean Walker:
Reports are swirling around that the Leafs are serious about getting Walker and have checked in on him. They might have to cough up a first-round pick 2024 to seal the deal. They're desperate to shore up their blue line, especially on the right side.
No, Walker wasn't a top draft pick; in fact, he went undrafted. Yet he's made a living as a bottom-pair defender until knee injuries threw a wrench in his career. He's bounced back in Philly, forming a rock-solid duo with Nick Seeler. They might not be flashy, but they get the job done�consistently.
Maple Leafs' Trade Ambitions: Pursuing Sean Walker to Bolster the Blue Line
At 29 years old and free agency looming in the offseason, Walker's
future is up in the air. Yet, with his resurgence this season, teams are eyeing him for a potential trade. And sure, a first-rounder for Walker might sound steep, but let's put it in perspective. Quality defenders are like gold in the NHL, and if Walker can bolster a team's blue line, he's worth his weight.
So, what's next for Walker? Only time will tell. The Flyers might decide to cash in and trade him or they could hold onto him for a playoff push. Either way, it's a waiting game�for Walker and hockey fans everywhere.
As seen on The Hockey News
Grading the Flyers' Trade of Sean Walker
| POLL | ||
Which defenseman should the Toronto Maple Leafs prioritize in trade negotiations ? | ||
| Sean Walker | 281 | 31.2 % |
| Someone Else | 620 | 68.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
