Maple Leafs Officially Linked to 6'7", 250-Pound Defenseman
Photo credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially been linked to a 6-foot-7, 250-pound monster of a defenseman by a trusted NHL Insider ahead of the trade deadline.
With the NHL's trade deadline now just over one month away, we are already starting to see some movement, and I'm sure we're all eagerly anticipating what the Maple Leafs plan to do to address their very clear roster needs.
It's pretty common knowledge that the Leafs are in search of a center to help strengthen the group down the middle of the ice, but there is also a clear need for a big-bodied defenseman, after the latest string of reports on Jani Hakanpaa, who has pulled out of the 4 Nations Face-Off and who could conceivably be done for the season.
There are also rumblings that Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson may soon be on the move with a trio of Western Conference clubs reportedly vying for his services.
In the most recent Trade Watch List update, The Fourth Period has linked the Maple Leafs to hulking Seattle Kraken defenseman Jamie Oleksiak, who stands 6'7" and weighs in at a little over 250 pounds.
"Teams have interest in Oleksiak, who has another year left on his contract after this season, and Seattle may be willing to entertain calls. He owns a 16-team no-trade list as part of his contract and will have a say in where he ends up, if dealt. TEAMS REPORTEDLY LINKED: Toronto, Dallas, Edmonton"
The Leafs aren't the only ones in on Oleksiak, however, as TFP also revealed that the Oilers and Stars are poking around as well.
Oleksiak is never going to blow anyone away with his offensive production, and his 4 goals and 13 points thus far this season is evidence of that. However, Oleksiak is a physical defenseman who has averaged 164 hits and 117 shot blocks per season over the course of his lengthy NHL career.
The Toronto, Ontario native still has one year left on his current deal in Seattle after this one and carries a $4.6M cap hit. If the Leafs want to bring Oleksiak in, they'll require some heavy salary retention, or may have to move someone else out to create some cap space.
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