The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenseman Zach Bogosian to a one-year, $1M contract as per reports and as confirmed by the organization in a post on day two of NHL free agency. The move comes shortly after the team moved Andreas Johnsson in a deal to the New Jersey Devils.
Related: Maple Leafs Trade Andreas Johnsson to Devils
The 30-year-old defenseman split the 2019-20 season between the Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning, registering a goal and seven points between the two clubs in a total of 27 games. In 644 career NHL regular season games between Atlanta, Winnipeg, Buffalo and Tampa Bay, Bogosian has recorded 196 points (53 goals, 143 assists).
It was a busy Saturday for the Maple Leafs who signed Travis Boyd to a one-year, $700,000 contract as well as traded Andreas Johnsson for Joey Anderson. Bogosian was their third move of the day.
General manager Kyle Dubas had made it a priority to add to the team’s blue line and with the acquisition, the Leafs left side now consists of Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin, Mikko Lehtonen, Rasmus Sandin, Martin Marincin and Calle Rosen. Their right side includes T.J. Brodie, Zach Bogosian, Justin Holl, Travis Dermott and Timothy Liljegren.
Not a Flashy Signing
The Bogosian signing isn’t exactly flashy, but Dubas did say he wanted to get tougher to play against and Bogosian comes in at the right price point for a Leafs team who still is handcuffed by a flat salary cap.
In a way, this is the “presence” Dubas spoke about needing to add to his defense corps. Even if he’s not going to produce a lot, the Leafs are getting a little nastier with the addition of both Wayne Simmonds (who was signed on day one) and Bogosian.
Something tells us the Leafs aren’t done yet either.
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