Maple Leafs' Division Rivals Add Depth With Multiple PTO Signings Ahead of Camp
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Both the Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens added players on PTO agreements on Wednesday as the Maple Leafs continue to weigh their options this year.
As the NHL season starts to come quicker and quicker, trams are finalizing their rosters and making sure they have enough insurance depth in order to get through any injuries or struggles this year.
We've already seen several names sign such as Kevin Labanc, Jack Johnson, and Noah Gregor, and there are sure to be several more in the coming days as training camp opens up.
Three More PTO Signings Leave Maple Leafs With Slimmer Market
We can now cross three more names off the list, and they all happen to be in the Atlantic Division.
According to Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff, the Montreal Canadiens are signing goaltender Kevin Mandolese, while the Florida Panthers are signing both forward Tyler Motte and defenseman Ben Harpur.
The moves are meant to give the teams a look at potential new roster additions without a commitment and for the Panthers, who are dealing with some potential serous injury issues going forward this year, need all the help they can get.
Mandolese, 25, was drafted 157th overall by Ottawa in 2018, and has spent most of his time in the minors, having appeared in three games in 2022-23, going 1-2-0 with a 3.29 GAA and .916 SV%.
Motte, 30, spent last season with the Detroit Red Wings and posted nine points in 55 games (4 goals, 5 assists) and has spent nine seasons in the NHL playing for Chicago, Columbus, Vancouver, New York Rangers, Ottawa, and Tampa Bay; he's been a journeyman of sorts.
Harpur, 30, hasn't played in the NHL since 2022-23 with the Rangers, but is a towering presence on the ice at 6'6 and 231 pounds. He was drafted 108th overall by Ottawa in 2013, and has spent time with the Senators, Predators, and Rangers.
Should the Maple Leafs Explore Their Own PTO Options Before Camp?
It's been the discussion all summer about who the Maple Leafs could add, and given that they don't have a ton of potential assets to make a deal, and a signing seems out of the question for someone like Jack Roslovic, perhaps a PTO is their best option.
They had a great amount of success with Max Pacioretty in the playoffs and Steven Lorentz ended up playing himself into a three-year extension so the precedent is there.
But as to who Toronto could bring in, it's getting slim. They could bring in Andreas Athanasiou or Matt Nieto, even maybe give Pacioretty another shot.
It's going to make the already fierce competition at camp even more pertinent if the team adds someone else to the fray, though hopefully it could motivate someone like Nick Robertson or Easton Cowan to perform above their expectations and get that roster spot.
All signs are pointing to the team not making a move until absolutely necessary, but bringing in a couple bodies just in case might end up being a necessity down the line.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 10 | 613 ANSWERS Maple Leafs' Division Rivals Add Depth With Multiple PTO Signings Ahead of Camp Is Toronto going to make a PTO signing? | ||
| Yes | 400 | 65.3 % |
| No | 213 | 34.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
