The Maple Leafs Were Out Priced On Difference-Making Defenceman
Photo credit: Kelvin Kuo - USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving has been busy reshaping his defence this off-season by signing rugged defenceman Chris Tanev and Stanley Cup champion Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Insider Chris Johnston made an appearance on the Steve Dangle Podcast revealing that Treliving didn't hit on all his defensive targets.
The Maple Leafs had Matt Roy highlighted as a significant target ahead of free agency. Roy would opt to sign with the Washington Capitals on a lucrative six-year, $34.5M contract. Toronto was in the race to sign him but ultimately got priced out and had to go in a different direction.
«I think Matt Roy was a little bit of the one that got away. They were interested in Brady Skjei, but it was clear early on that wasn't going to be it. They called on [Brett] Pesce, but I didn't get a sense that was ever close. Roy was a big target.»
The 29 year old, Roy has established himself as a steady top four defenceman since breaking into the league with the LA Kings during the 2018-19 season. Last season Roy scored 5 goals and 25 points in 81 games while averaging 20:53 in ice time.
Toronto have been hunting for right shot defenceman and landed one in Chris Tanev and possibly two barring the injury staus of Jani Hakanpää. If thinks don't work with the massive Finnish defender Toronto could be forced to dip into free agency or the trade market to find another solid right shot defenceman that has been eluding the franchise for quite sometime.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 12 | 75 ANSWERS The Maple Leafs Were Out Priced On Difference-Making Defenceman Do you think the Washington Capitals will get good value from Matt Roy's contract? | ||
| Yes, proven top four for a good price | 31 | 41.3 % |
| With the way he plays the contract wont age well | 44 | 58.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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