Leafs miss out on adding underrated defenseman
The Toronto Maple Leafs and GM Brad Treliving have missed out on the opportunity to add underrated former Flames defenseman Oliver Kylington, who has signed a 1-year deal with the Avalanche.
Kylington stepped away from the NHL for the entire 2022-2023 season to work on his mental health as he later revealed during an interview.
After missing the first half of this past season, Kylington returned to the Calgary Flames' lineup at the end of January. He ended up skating in 33 games for the Flames last season, tallying 8 points and many thought, with the loss of Noah Hanifin, Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev, that he would become one of the Flames' priorities to re-sign this off-season.
Unfortunately, that was not the case and Kylington entered free agency where he remained a free agent until Monday afternoon, when he inked a 1-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche that will see him earn just $1.05M.
The 27-year-old looked poised to take a massive leap forward during the 2022-2023 season after he posted 9 goals and 34 points in the season prior. Kylington joins the high-flying Avs, where he will be able to maintain a lower profile and not have to be counted on to over-extend himself against tougher competition.
Kylington was nominated for Bill Masterton Trophy this past season for his perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey after his triumphant return.
Source: Hockey-ReferenceOliver Kylington stats
| POLL | ||
5 AOUT | 1669 ANSWERS Leafs miss out on adding underrated defenseman Do the Leafs need another depth defenseman? | ||
| Yes | 1317 | 78.9 % |
| No | 238 | 14.3 % |
| I'm not sure | 114 | 6.8 % |
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