Maple Leafs Reportedly Eyeing Bruising Metropolitan Defenseman
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a great goaltender tandem and a fantastic top-six, but their biggest weakness lays on the blue line, which they are now reportedly trying to fix.
A bruising defenseman
According to a recent report, the Leafs are trying to fix their issues on the blue line, and are now engaging in trade talks with the Columbus Blue Jackets on 6-foot-3 right hander Andrew Peeke.
He is the type of defenseman that Brad Treliving loves, as he is a big, physical presence, blocking 197 shots and putting on 180 hits a year ago, and at just 25-years of age, he's someone that could grow with this team.
A potential top-four blue liner
While Peeke has nowhere near the experience of T.J. Brodie, the Leafs could use this deal as a way to get under the salary cap, as Peeke costs just $2.75 million over the next three years, which could save the team $2.25 million.
Nothing concrete has happened between the two teams yet, but given their needs on the blue line, this move makes sense, but for Columbus, they will need to get a solid prospect and/or some picks in return, so keep an eye on this deal over the next few weeks as we approach training camp.
As Read on Maple Leafs Daily -
Leafs reportedly engaged in trade discussions with a Metropolitan Division team
| POLL | ||
AOÛT 12 | 108 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Reportedly Eyeing Bruising Metropolitan Defenseman Would Peeke be the perfect addition to the Leafs blue line? | ||
| Yes | 65 | 60.2 % |
| No | 43 | 39.8 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Zachary Werenski | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Sean Monahan | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jesper Bratt | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Frederick Gaudreau | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jack Hughes | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Kent Johnson | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Alexander Wennberg | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Mitchell Chaffee | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Coronato | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Marcus Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Nick Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Conor Geekie | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Stefan Noesen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Corey Perry | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Igor Sharangovich | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Dmitry Voronkov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Hurricanes | 18 | 14 | 4 | - | 28 | |
Capitals | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 27 | |
Wild | 18 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 27 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Devils | 21 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 17 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 25 | |
Stars | 18 | 12 | 6 | - | 24 | |
Golden Knights | 19 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 24 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||