Leafs in talks to sign free agent defenseman
The Toronto Maple Leafs are without three of their top-six defensemen as it stands currently. Timothy Liljegren is recovering from an ankle sprain, Mark Giordano has a broken finger and John Klingberg is having season-ending hip surgery at the end of the month. The injuries have left the Leafs' blueline relatively thin and while GM Brad Treliving is exploring the trade market, he has made it no secret that prices are very high right now.
On TSN's Insider Trading yesterday, Chris Johnston mentioned that the Leafs, while still exploring the trade market, have also approached free agent defenseman Ethan Bear. Bear is currently a free agent as he underwent off-season shoulder surgery in July and was expected to be out of action for six months. The former fifth-round pick is currently in the process of exploring his options to return this season.
Bear is a right-shot defenseman, which the Leafs desperately need, and all it would cost is a bit of salary cap space. Bear was on a 1-year deal worth $2.2M last season, but will likely sign for much less coming off of injury.
He may not be the "big fish" Leaf fans are hoping for, but Bear is capable of playing 17-20 minutes a night as he has averaged 18:51 per game over his five-year career. The 26-year-old has skated in 251 games with Edmonton, Vancouver and Carolina and has put up 63 points, 312 blocks and 198 hits.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 8 | 707 ANSWERS Leafs in talks to sign free agent defenseman Should the Leafs sign Ethan Bear if they can? | ||
| Yes, can never have too many right-shot D | 467 | 66.1 % |
| No, they need a top-four guy | 240 | 33.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
