Maple Leafs Targeting Two Top Free Agent Defenseman

There's no mystery about where the Toronto Maple Leafs need to improve this offseason, and once again, one of the ways is in the goal prevention department. With that, insider Nick Kypreos has revealed that there are two names in particular that GM Brad Treliving has on his radar in free agency.

Brandon Montour and Chris Tanev are two blueliners the Leafs will go after if both are available on July 1st pic.twitter.com/ThctFdRjtK
— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) June 15, 2024

"It’s no secret the Leafs will be targeting Florida’s Montour if the pending free agent remains unsigned after this Cup final," said Kypreos. "Chris Tanev is another name that never left Treliving’s radar."

Brandon Montour will reach unrestricted free agency if the Florida Panthers don't act fast to re-sign him to an extension once the Stanley Cup Finals are done. His 3-year, $3.5 million deal has expired and he'll be in for a huge raise,with expectations somewhere in the range of a $7.0 to $8.5 million AAV.

The right-shot defenseman led all Panthers' blueliners in ice-time during the regular season at 23:27, and though his offense took a dip this season, to 33 points from 73 the year before, he's seen as the type of top-pairing d-man the Leafs need.

Tanev, of course, was heavily on the Leafs' radar ahead of the trade deadline, before the Dallas Stars scooped him up in late February from the Calgary Flames. The shot-blocking right-shot D will be turning 35 next season, but he doesn't seem to be slowing down, as evidenced by his late season and playoff performance with the Stars. He's coming off a 4-year, $4.5 million deal that he was signed to in Calgary by... Brad Treliving.