What Is the Final Destination of Every Toronto Maple Leafs Free Agent Defenseman?
Now that I’ve previously forecast every Maple Leafs free agency forward’s destination, it’s time to examine the defensemen who are coming up for expiration.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have five unrestricted free agents and one restricted free agent available this summer. On the back end, Timothy Liljegren is a restricted free agent; TJ Brodie, Joel Edmundson, Mark Giordano, Ilya Lyubushkin, and John Klingberg are unrestricted free agents. (All CapFriendly.com contract data)
Similar to my last post when I projected the destinations of the expiring forwards, I will now project the destinations of each defenseman as well as the trade.
Since taking over as general manager of the Leafs, Treliving has made it clear time and time again that he wants to improve the blue line. It will be intriguing to watch where he goes this summer because it is his first chance to have a significant impact on this area of the squad.
* Please take note that this was written before the free agency opened, but we’ll do our best to update it as events unfold.
Giordano Mark
This offseason, there was conjecture on Giordano’s intentions regarding his retirement following the previous season and his desire to play on. After a challenging year, Giordano’s agency recently declared that he still plans to play. Last season, he participated in 46 games and finished with three goals, six assists, and nine points. (All data sourced from NHL.com)
Giordano is a good seventh or eighth defenseman in my opinion, but you’re asking too much if you want to play him for any position higher than that. In the end, the forty-year-old is a native of Toronto, where his family resides. Giordano will be retained by Treliving, who will give him a one-year contract at the league minimum average yearly salary.
Giordano is a familiar face to Treliving from his days in Calgary and the previous campaign. I believe that Giordano would benefit from a short-term, league-minimum contract at this juncture in his career.
The Newest Prospect Group of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Eight prospects were selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2024 NHL entry draft. They chose one goalie, three forwards, and four defenseman.
The Toronto Maple Leafs made a transaction to begin their 2024 draft preparations. The Anaheim Ducks received the 23rd overall pick in exchange for first-round pick 31 and second-round pick 58.
The Oshawa Generals defenseman Ben Danford was selected by the Leafs with the 31st overall choice in the draft. Danford is a right-shooting defenceman who weighs 190 pounds and is 6’1″. He is 18 years old. With one goal and 32 assists for 33 points in 64 games, he concluded the 2023–24 season. For the 2024–2025 season, Danford will rejoin the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League.
(EliteProspects.com provided all statistics.)
The Leafs would be far busy on day two of the draft than they were on day one, which was quiet. In addition to making a deal that would have an effect on the team’s future, they would make seven draft choices.
Day Two of the Toronto Maple Leafs 2024 NHL Draft
For the Leafs, the second day of the NHL draft started in the same manner as the first. Brad Treliving, general manager, made a deal with the Florida Panthers. In exchange for Florida’s second-round selection in 2025 and the 225th overall pick (seventh round), the Leafs sent the Panthers their 58th overall pick (second round).
The Leafs and Victor Johansson Treliving were forced to wait until the fourth round of the 2024 NHL draft to choose their second choice. The Leafs picked Victor Johansson from Leksands IF J20 / J20 Nationell with the 120th overall pick. He’s a left-shooting defenceman, eighteen, six feet two inches tall, and 167 pounds. Johansson is regarded as one of the best two-way defensemen in the world. This season, he will represent Leksands IF J20.
Holinka, Miroslav
The Leafs’ next move was to choose Miroslav Holinka with the 151st overall pick in the fifth round. Holinka, a center from HC Ocelari Trinec in Czechia, is eighteen years old. At 6’1 and 185 pounds, he is a strong defensive player. Holinka led the HC Ocelari Trinec U20 in scoring with 20 goals and 21 assists in 29 games.
The Plesovskikh Alexander
With the 152nd overall pick, the Leafs picked 17-year-old Alexander Plesovskikh of MKH Spartak Moskva of the MHL in Russia. Plesovskikh is 6’2 and 174 pounds, and he plays left wing. In 33 MHL games, he scored eight goals and provided nine assists for a total of 17 points for Mamonty Yugry. This season, he’ll stay in Russia.
