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Insider Confirms Maple Leafs’ Interest in Josh Manson from Ducks

Elliotte Friedman has confirmed that the Toronto Maple Leafs are among the many teams interested in acquiring Josh Manson from the Ducks.

It’s not entirely clear that the Anaheim Ducks will trade defenseman Josh Manson. For one, he was recently injured. Two, he’s got a lot to offer and any new general manager that comes in to run the Ducks might want to try and re-sign Manson instead of trading him. Still, there are teams kicking tires on the player and the Toronto Maple Leafs are among them.

Related: Maple Leafs Possible Trade Deadline Target: Ducks’ D-Man Josh Manson?

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman the Maple Leafs have inquired about Manson. Friedman notes that the blueliner’s injury situation will be interesting to watch because it may affect Toronto’s (and other team’s) continued interest in the player. If he’s back and ready to go for the postseason, Mason would be an ideal fit for a number of teams, especially as a pending unrestricted free agent.

Josh Manson Maple Leafs
Josh Manson Maple Leafs

Earlier this week, Old Prof wrote:

Manson is a big, physical, stay-at-home defenseman who would give the team something they don’t have and could use. He might be just what the doctor ordered to solidify the defense. If he were part of the roster, Maple Leafs’ head coach Sheldon Keefe might play him with one of the young Swedish defensemen – I would think Rasmus Sandin – or could put him with Morgan Rielly or even Muzzin to upgrade the shutdown pairing that Justin Holl was part of.

With news that Jake Muzzin is going to remain out of the lineup, there’s a need for the Maple Leafs to add a solid option on their back end. Manson would certainly qualify. Friedman does wonder if Manson would be interested in joining the Maple Leafs and that’s an important question. For one, GM Kyle Dubas is reportedly more interested in adding players with term than he is a rental. Manson is the latter, but if he’s open to joining Toronto, the two sides could quickly talk about an extension. Second. if Manson doesn’t want to join the Maple Leafs, he could put them on his modified 12-team no-trade list.

Are Ducks Even Sellers?

At the end of the day, the Ducks might not even be sellers. They currently sit second in the Pacific Division and might choose to add before the deadline. That means, unless Manson has specifically said he’s not returning next season, there are quite a few reasons for the Ducks to hold onto the defenseman.

Next: Jeff Petry Informed Canadiens are Trying to Trade Him

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