Rumour: Maple Leafs Linked to a Top-4 Defenceman
PUBLICATION
Tom Banks
August 11, 2023 (4:08 PM)
Despite all the moves the Toronto Maple Leafs have made recently, they still have one glaring hole heading into the 2023-24 season, and that's on their blue line.
A solution incoming?
Even after adding Jake McCabe at the deadline and John Klingberg this off-season, the Leafs blue line is its weakest spot, as they boast a top-six of Reilly, Brodie, McCabe, Klingberg, Giordano and Liljegren.
This is a group well short of average in today's NHL, and now a potential suitor has emerged, with rumours that the team are pursuing Columbus Blue Jackets blue liner Andrew Peeke.
A growing top-four star
At just 25-years of age, Peeke has only just emerged at the top level as a solid defenceman, but after two straight great years in Columbus, it appears he's ready to break out at the NHL level.
It's tough to see Columbus moving him unless they get a significant return, as his age and potential fit in with their rebuilding roster, but with 8 goals and 28 points over the past two years, it's easy to see why Toronto have plenty of interest.
POLL |
Could Peeke help the Leafs deep in the 2023-24 Stanley Cup playoffs? |
Yes | 880 | 63.4 % |
No | 509 | 36.6 % |
List of polls |
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