Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly setting their sights on $45 million defenseman

The Toronto Maple Leafs need a right-handed defenseman right now, especially in light of the injury to veteran defenseman Chris Tanev.

Tanev might be out of the lineup for the rest of the season, and the Leafs need to come through with a real replacement if they actually want to make the postseason.

Guys like Rasmus Andersson and Dougie Hamilton have been on their radar, but they need backups in case those two end up going somewhere else.

According to The Fourth Period, the Leafs may have found the perfect third option on the St. Louis Blues, and they can get him at a reasonable price.

Justin Faulk is currently on a seven-year, $45.5 million contract, which sees him making $6.5 million per season. Given his 22 points in 47 games, it's clear that he can generate offense at a solid clip.

The Florida Panthers and Las Vegas Golden Knights are also incredibly interested in Faulk right now, although given the circumstances, it feels like the Leafs are in a position to push hard for this.

Going forward, it seems as though Dougie Hamilton is at the top of the Maple Leafs' wish list, with Justin Faulk coming in second. Given Brad Treliving's anger with the Calgary Flames, Andersson feels like a distant dream at this stage.

Having said that, making a trade will not be easy for Treliving. Rival teams know that the Leafs have a need to fulfil, especially with the playoff race heating up.

The Leafs are in a playoff spot right now, but they are hanging on for dear life, especially with the Las Vegas Golden Knights coming up on Thursday.

Whatever the case may be, the Leafs have a lot to figure out right now, and the fans are hanging on their every decision.

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