Maple Leafs depleted blue line makes former target an interesting name to revisit
Photo credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
As the Maple Leafs deal with a slew of injuries to their backend, they could look to a former defensive target who is set to become a free agent shortly.
It's no secret the Maple Leafs are a team who are struggling heavily with injuries this year. While all clubs tend to deal with it at some point in the season, it seems like for every one return Toronto gets, another two players go down.
It's a cycle that has led to a lot of lineup shuffling and could spell the end of some player's seasons like Chris Tanev; who may need surgery.
Although they may be getting Brandon Carlo back soon, they are still going to be without Tanev, as well as Jake McCabe and Dakota Mermis who are recovering from injuries.
Toronto should target Yegor Zamula after he clears waivers
It's likely that Toronto is going to need more insurance to make sure they can handle whatever happens next, and if they wanted to do so on the cheap then they have a perfect target back on the market.
After Yegor Zamula was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 31, the Penguins have decided to waive the forward for the purpose of a contract termination.
This means that he now becomes a free agent and is able to sign with whoever he chooses be it in the NHL or elsewhere.
Zamula was signed after an amateur tryout with the team and has proceeded to skate in 168 games for the Flyers with 41 points (8 goals, 33 assists), 218 blocks and a minus-12.
Toronto can seriously improve but they need to be proactive
Also according to TSN's Chris Johnston, there are several teams who have interest in the 25-year old, and he's looking to get a huge opportunity elsewhere:
According to league sources, there are multiple NHL teams with interest in [him]; It was apparent that he'd been promised [an]...opportunity elsewhere if he terminated his contract and accepted a lower salary.
That is a huge bonus for the Maple Leafs who can absolutely slot him into the top-four and give him as much of a chance to succeed as possible. He would be an improvement over Philippe Myers and would help replace the shot-blocking lost with Tanev and McCabe out.
But Brad Treliving can't hum and haw around when it comes to making a decision. He has a crippled defensive group and has just recalled Marshall Rifai (a player who just came back as well) for help.
This is a genuine chance to bring in someone who can give the team a stop-gap option on the cheap though with several others kicking tires too; it's first come, first served.