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.
Could Peeke help the Leafs deep in the 2023-24 Stanley Cup playoffs?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Maple Leafs reporter addresses rumours of Mitch Marner's trade list