The Leafs should take a similar approach to how they replaced Hyman and apply it on defense
When Zach Hyman signed with the Edmonton Oilers this summer, Leaf Nation wondered what Kyle Dubas would do to replace their first line left-winger. Luckily the acquisitions of David Kampf, Ondrej Kase and rookie phenom Michael Bunting have all paid off big for the Leafs. Bunting is out-producing Hyman by himself while Kampf and Kase provided the Leafs with a great third line that they lacked for years.
For two thirds of the price the Leafs have managed to replace Zach Hyman and also address other roster needs. Rather than going after a big fish on the market at the deadline, the Leafs should look at a similar approach to fixing their defense. Here are some players who they could target with this approach.
CALVIN DE HAAN (CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS)
A name that has been linked to the Leafs in the past, Calvin de Haan is someone who would help the Leafs a lot in their own end. His gap control is great and he's a good defender off the rush but his biggest impact in his own end is his ability to get in front of pucks. De Haan is currently 3rd in the NHL in blocked shots with 134 blocks in 52 games. One of the Leafs biggest problems is that too many pucks have been going in with traffic in front. De Haan's shot blocking would help solve this problem. He's a left-handed defender but he plays on both sides and with a likely low acquisition cost, de Haan would be a great add for the Leafs.
JUSTIN BRAUN (PHILADEPHIA FLYERS)
Another name whose been linked to the Leafs, Braun has a lot of experience in the NHL. He's played over 700 games and has had his fair share of deep playoff runs with the Sharks, although no Stanley Cups on his resume yet. At 6'2, Braun is a defender who plays a playoff style. He blocks shots and clears the front of the net. He's not someone you're going to notice a lot which is good for a stay at home defenseman. +/- can be a skewed stat, but Braun is a +2 while playing on the bottom feeder Philadelphia Flyers. Braun checks off many boxes for the Leafs, would be a steady presence on their back end and also wouldn't break the bank to acquire.
ANDREW PEEKE (COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS)
He's just 23 years old but Andrew Peeke is one of the most under the radar defenders heading into the trade deadline. The 2016 second round pick plays heavy hockey, is 6'3 when he gets out of bed every morning and is among the league leaders in blocked shots. He's a player that the Leafs would have some control over as well. The only caveat to acquiring him is that he'll likely be more expensive because of how young he is and he may be a piece Columbus would want to hang onto unless the price was right.
SCOTT MAYFIELD (NEW YORK ISLANDERS)
Kyle Dubas and Lou Lamorielo are no strangers to each other from their time in Toronto and perhaps they could reunite for a trade at the deadline. Mayfield is a right-handed defenseman who plays a physical style. He clears the front of the net and looked great in back-to-back conference finals appearances for the Islanders. A steady presence for the Leafs blueline. At 6'5, this hulking blueliner would have no problem clearing the front of the net.
ZDENO CHARA (NEW YORK ISLANDERS)
Speaking of hulking defensemen, Chara is likely to be on the move and could make some sense as a depth add for the Leafs to bolster their third pair. In 2022, he isn't an everyday player, but imagine having someone who tortured you for years on your side now. That's what having Chara on the Leafs would do. In the playoffs Chara has the ability to get away with murder and because of the respect that NHL officials have for him, it could benefit the Leafs. Other teams will think twice about messing with the Leafs' star players in the playoffs knowing that not only would they have to answer to Wayne Simmonds, but "Big Z" as well.
The Leafs already have top pairing defenders on their roster. Most of their problems tend to be with their depth guys. Taking a moneyball approach and filling out their holes with cheaper options worked when replacing Hyman and it can work when they shore up their defense as well.
| POLL | ||
MARS 11 | 487 ANSWERS The Leafs should take a similar approach to how they replaced Hyman and apply it on defense Which defender from this list would you like to see the Leafs make a play for? | ||
| Calvin de Haan | 145 | 29.8 % |
| Scott Mayfield | 138 | 28.3 % |
| Zdeno Chara | 155 | 31.8 % |
| Andrew Peeke | 49 | 10.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
