Leafs Sign Defenseman to a Two-Year Contract Extension

Given Toronto has several contracts they can offer an extension to, some wonder who is going to be left out of the loop as Toronto tries to narrow down their roster now and for the future.

They locked up one of their pieces on Friday as the team announced they signed defenseman Philippe Myers to a two-year extension.

This signing could start a domino effect within the Maple Leafs organization that sees other names extended past this season such as Steven Lorentz.

It's no surprise that Toronto extended Myers, as the team has been very high on the young defenseman. Signed as a free agent this offseason, he's done well to step in while Toronto's defense corps were out with various injuries or struggles.

He's quietly been one of the team's better defenders too, and brought a steadier partner to Morgan Rielly since being put together.

Still only 27, he's just coming into his prime and given he fits Toronto's mold of tall, big-bodied roster members he could be looking at a bigger role going forward.

Undrafted, Myers signed a contract with the Philadelphia Flyers and found a decent amount of success. Over 115 games he had 29 points before heading to Nashville in the Ryan Ellis trade; traded again to Tampa Bay he never found his footing as he had in Philly and didn't play much.

Also becoming a much better defender, he has 29 hits and 15 blocks in only 11 games this season, and he's showing potential to be a Top 4 defenseman for the Maple Leafs next season.

Myers' contract is the first step of Brad Treliving's contract extension plans, and focus can shift to shoring up their depth and perhaps bringing back some very important players.

More details to come.