Insider confirms Leafs' interest in Eastern Conference defenseman

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.

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.