Before Christopher Tanev was traded to the Dallas Stars at the previous season's trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs were said to be interested in the free agency. The team has been searching for an efficient right-handed defenseman for some time.
Tanev wasn't able to be added before the deadline, but it looks like the thirty-four-year-old, six-foot-four, 193-pound player could be close to signing with Toronto on Monday when free agency begins.
Although Tanev's injuries have prevented him from playing the entire eighty-two game schedule since the 2021–2022 season, his presence might provide the Maple Leafs with the much-needed boost to their back end—but only if the deal is correct and the terms are favorable.
Tanev's signing with Toronto would represent a change in the caliber of players the Maple Leafs have been able to bring in. Another item that may help the Maple Leafs succeed and get them farther than they've gone in the last eight years is a right-handed, heavy-handed defenseman. Fans of the Maple Leafs might want to hold off on celebrating too much, but there may still be hope.
