Maple Leafs reportedly looking at replacing T.J. Brodie with younger defensemen

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Mike Armenti
August 12, 2023 (7:58)

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Since the Toronto Maple Leafs hired Brad Treliving as the team's new GM, there has been a belief that a major change would occur as he looked to put his stamp on the team. It's been relatively quiet on the back end since Treliving came in, with the lone addition to the D corps being John Klingberg. However, following that signing, Treliving had stated that the Leafs were still looking to make another move to address a need on the blueline.

Training camp is approaching and the Leafs will almost certainly want to complete their roster tinkering over the next few weeks to ensure that their new group gets a full training camp together. With a lack of trade talk in Toronto this summer, some were beginning to doubt whether or not we'd see another blueline move before the beginning of the season. On Friday, though, a rumor surfaced linking the Leafs to Blue Jackets derender, Andrew Peeke.

Additional information has the Maple Leafs looking at Peeke as a possible replacement for T.J. Brodie in a move that would both add an aggressive defenseman who blocks a lot of shots and would also make the Leafs salary cap compliant.

Over the last two seasons Peeke, 25, has played 162 games and has posted 8 goals and 20 assists. Peeke is purely a defensive defenseman, starting nearly 70% of his shifts in his own zone. Peeke has 3 years remaining on his current contract paying him $2,750,000 per season.

While Peeke could certainly save the Leafs some cap space, I'd imagine that most would consider him a downgrade from Brodie. In a volatile market such as Toronto, if a move like this one backfires, it could create a lot of extra noise and distraction for a team who is already burdened by a ton of outside pressure.