Insider confirms Leafs' interest in Eastern Conference defenseman
Photo credit: Broad Street Hockey
The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently enjoying a much needed break for their bye week just ahead of this weekend's All-Star festivities in Toronto. While the team is enjoying some time off and, for some, even nice sunny vacations away from the city, Leafs GM Brad Treliving remains hard at work, basically living on his phone as he prepares for the upcoming trade deadline in a little over a month's time.
It's common knowledge that the Leafs are in the market for a defenseman. You can even put your money on the fact that a defenseman is the number 1 priority ahead of any other pieces they may look to acquire before March 8th. Many have speculated that Chris Tanev remains the Leafs' number one target, which may be the case. However, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman stated on Monday's 32 Thoughts podcast that the Leafs are in on every defenseman available. One of the players he mentioned by name was Philadelphia's Sean Walker.
"I think (Sean) Walker is less likely to be signed [in Philly], not because they don't want him, just because I think ever since Drysdale got there, I think you could see where this could potentially go. For Walker, I've heard Edmonton, I've heard Tampa... I always wonder about Toronto for defencemen. Toronto is looking for D, but I think Walker is going to be out there."
Walker is thriving under John Tortorella in Philadelphia and is well on his way to posting career highs in goals, assists and points. Through 50 games this season, Walker has already already matched his career high in goals with 5. He has produced 17 points to date, which is just 7 points away from tying his previous career high of 24.
The 29-year-old Keswick, Ontario native would probably enjoy the opportunity to come home to Ontario and play in front of family and friends, and he does check some boxes for the Leafs as a right-shot, defensively responsible blueliner. Whether or not he's a guy they pursue aggressively, though, remains to be seen.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 31 | 340 ANSWERS Insider confirms Leafs' interest in Eastern Conference defenseman What is the Leafs' biggest need on the blueline? | ||
| Top pairing defender to push Brodie down | 212 | 62.4 % |
| Top-4 defender to push Liljegren down | 42 | 12.4 % |
| Depth defenseman to give Giordano more time off | 86 | 25.3 % |
| We need at least 2 defensemen | 0 | 0 % |
| List of polls | ||
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