3 Big-Name Defensemen Mentioned as Offseason Targets for the Maple Leafs

A lot has gone wrong this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and while there’s reason to call for change across the board, the blue line is what demands the most attention.

Toronto ranks 24th in the league in both goals and points from defensemen, highlighting a longstanding lack of puck movers and overall offensive punch from the back end. Morgan Rielly is not what he once was, and the rest of the corps consists of more veteran defensive options, so if the Maple Leafs want a quick retool and return to contention, they’ll need to find a true top-pairing defenseman along the way.

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With that in mind, Sportsnet’s Justin Bourne and Nick Kypreos recently outlined three targets Toronto could pursue this summer to give the blue line the jolt it desperately needs.

Darren Raddysh

The first name brought up is the guy who might just be the best available free-agent defenseman this summer: Darren Raddysh. After several solid seasons in Tampa Bay, Raddysh has exploded in his third full NHL season, clipping at a point-per-game rate with 58 points (17 goals, 41 assists) through 58 games.

Kypreos believes the Maple Leafs are equipped to outbid the Lightning in any sweepstakes, though he insisted they wouldn’t need to give the sun and the moon to bring him to Toronto. There is some risk in giving a long-term contract to a 30-year-old with a relatively limited track record, but if the deal is right, there’s no question Raddysh would be a strong addition to Toronto’s blue line.

Adam Fox

Bourne then threw out what he called a curveball: trading for Adam Fox, describing him as someone who can run the power play and create offense from the point. Kypreos, however, was hesitant due to his size (5’11”, 185 pounds), as Toronto has struggled with being pushed around at times when it matters most.

While that’s understandable, Fox would be a very intriguing option. He’s been one of the best offensive defensemen since stepping into the league, and if the Rangers’ retool shifts toward a rebuild, the Maple Leafs should absolutely be calling GM Chris Drury to see what it would take to pry the 2020-21 Norris Trophy winner out of New York.

John Carlson

Lastly, there’s the veteran free-agent option in longtime Washington Capital — now Anaheim Duck — John Carlson. It had always been assumed Carlson would re-sign in the nation’s capital and likely finish his career there, but the shocking trade at the deadline has changed everything, and he now should be expected to at the very least test free agency.

Despite being 36 years old, Carlson has continued to produce at a high level, tallying 46 points (10 goals, 36 assists) through 56 games this season, while recently mentioning he feels physically as good as he has in years. You wouldn’t want to give him too much term at this stage of his career, but if the price is right, Toronto could do much worse than the two-time All-Star and Stanley Cup champion.

Next: Insider Floats Nuclear Option for Maple Leafs with Morgan Rielly