Sean Durzi would make the perfect puck-moving defenceman for the Maple Leafs and while they had him once before, they should take a look at bringing him back again.
Sean Durzi was drafted by the Maple Leafs but traded in the Jake Muzzin deal, and he's put together a pretty solid career as a puck-moving defender. He's exactly what Toronto needs right now, and with the news that he could be potentially on the team's radar, we could be looking at their new offensive weapon on the bliueline.
Durzi, 27, had 27 points in 60 games and dealt with injuries over the past two seasons, however averaged 35 points for his first three seasons. He fixes Toronto's right-handed defence issues and also isn't a shabby defender and he loves to block shots as he has 563 blocks in only 302 games.
New report surfaces that Sean Durzi is headed back to the Maple Leafs in the near future
He was Toronto's 2nd round pick in 2018, and was actually drafted a few spots ahead of current Marlies forward Bo Groulx. But he was dealt to the Kings in the Jake Muzzin deal though a new report has Durzi potentially set up for a reunion.
According to sources close to one Maple Leafs insider on X, the Maple Leafs are apparently targeting Durzi and has been told within the organization that he is expected to be dealt back to Toronto:
I got this second-hand, but apparently Sean Durzi has heard rumours within the Utah organization that he could be getting traded to the Leafs.
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At two years left with a $6-million AAV, he would be a tad bit expensive however isn't that much of a commitment and serves a necessary purpose for the Maple Leafs. He's not a top pairing D-man though so it would have to be a real surety that Durzi is able to bring a lot of offence wherever he ends up playing.
Where Sean Durzi fits in the Maple Leafs lineup if they bring him back
If Toronto does end up keeping Morgan Rielly for whatever reason, it's likely you'll see Durzi slot into the second unit alongside someone like Jake McCabe:
Rielly - Tanev
McCabe - Durzi
Ekman-Larsson - Carlo
That gives the Maple Leafs an equal split of left and right handed defenders in the lineup, as well as an equal split of offensive-minded players and shutdown stars.
It also gives the team a lot of power-play help, as Durzi has 53 points and 102 shots for his career on the PP. He helps solve a need with Toronto's lack of shooting from the point, and he's clearly been reliable in his career on the man advantage.
However if the team gets rid of Rielly, as well as guys like Simon Benoit then they are going to have a lack of lefties in the lineup, and John Chayka has to make sure there's enough balance before he acquires Durzi or have a plan in mind at the very least.
But that seems to be his modus operandi this offseason, and right now it looks like part of his plan involves bringing back Durzi into the fold.
Should Toronto trade for Sean Durzi?
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