Aside from Tuesday night’s letdown in Utah, the Toronto Maple Leafs have made a miraculous recovery since Christmas, to put themselves back into contention in the Eastern Conference, sitting in a Wild Card spot.
But the great 10-game unbeaten run they were on (8-0-2) before Tuesday hasn’t led to any complacency in the front office. GM Brad Treliving is still intent on making a significant addition to his blueline before the trade deadline. Chris Tanev’s potential season-ending status is a key factor, pushing for the need of another d-man.
Let’s take a look at four viable defense options the Leafs are targeting.
Could Luke Schenn have yet another Toronto reunion?
Luke Schenn, Winnipeg Jets
The Jets are (or certainly should be) in sell mode, and Schenn is on Treliving’s list. Insider Chris Johnston confirmed as much on his podcast this week.
There’s already some rumblings around that they’re even looking at a third trip through with Luke Schenn right now. Obviously at this stage of Luke’s career, I think that the acquisition cost would be more modest and worked really well with him and Morgan Rielly. So we’ll see if that’s something that comes to fruition, but certainly have heard some talk in that direction.
A lower-round draft pick is probably all it would take. Schenn began his career with the Leafs way back in 2008, and the team re-acquired him at the trade deadline in 2023 for a successful two-month stint.
Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils
The Devils’ beleaguered puck-mover is a Toronto native. But how much will the fact that Treliving once traded him away, while with the Calgary Flames, impact Hamilton’s willingness to come to the Leafs? Additionally, insider Pierre LeBrun said on TSN this week that Hamilton’s hefty cap hit would be an issue.
“I think there’s no question they’re not taking him at $9 million a year, the Devils would have to retain. So we’ll see where it goes. (The Devils) hope to get this done before the Olympic break.”
Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames
Treliving has long had an eye on Andersson. He was, of course, his GM in Calgary, and is the man who signed the d-man to his current six-year deal that’s about to expire. But do the Leafs have the assets to win a bidding war for Andersson?
Justin Faulk, St. Louis Blues
Another strong name that’s out there, Faulk would be a nice veteran addition to the Leafs’ blueline, and we know that the Blues are willing to make a deal. Terry Koshan noted in the Toronto Sun this week that a couple of St. Louis scouts were in attendance recently at a Leafs game.
Koshan mentions two other possibilities for the Leafs to consider as well, in Mario Ferraro of the San Jose Sharks and the Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Murphy. Both are pending UFAs.
