Leafs Linked To Two Of The NHLs Most Premier Enforcers

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Travis Neil
June 28, 2023 (2:51 PM)

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The entire Leafs fan base is paying heavy attention to Brad Treliving and his first off season as the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Leafs Trying to Get Tougher

Earlier reports said the Leafs were targeting Milan Lucic however with news he is returning to the Bruins eyes have shifted to two other enforcers.

"I think they're [TOR] gonna add some beef down the lineup. I wouldn't be surprised and I'm not necessarily saying it's gonna be these guys but like I wonder about like an Austin Watson or I wonder about a Ryan Reaves. That's what a couple of people have said to me. They think the Leafs are gonna try to make their bottom-six a little heavier." - Elliotte Friedman said on the Jeff Marek Show today

Radko Gudas and the Florida Panthers were able to physically dominate the Leafs in their second round matchup and Treliving seems to want to address that issue.

Reaves and Watson

Both Ryan Reaves and Austin Watson would both add a level off toughness to the leafs bottom six that have not had in years.

Reaves is known around the league as arguably the toughest player in the league, with over 800 games played in the NHL Reaves has 1,023 PIMs.

Austin Watson is not afraid to take a penalty either as last season with the Ottawa Senators Watson tied a career high in penalties with 123 PIMs.

Both of these players would be on the ice as intimidators to protect the core four of the Leafs roster.

POLL
Would you like to see Reaves or Watson in a Leafs sweater?
Yes	970	76.7 %
No	294	23.3 %
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