Going into this NHL season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have an abundance of defensemen, which means they could lose a high-quality player for nothing.
While defenseman like Morgan Rielly, Chris Tanev, Darren Raddysh, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson are guaranteed their place in the lineup, guys like Emil Andrae, William Villeneuve, Philippe Myers, and Troy Stecher will be fighting for scraps.
Going into training camp, these defensemen will be looking to secure a spot on the team. Those who get sent to the Marlies will first be placed on waivers, meaning the Leafs could lose someone for absolutely nothing.
Toronto has more NHL-calibre defencemen than roster spots, and waivers make the surplus dangerous
The Maple Leafs and general manager John Chayka were deliberate in bringing in more defensive depth. Guys like Emil Andrae and Darren Raddysh were solid additions to the franchise.
Unfortunately, for the Leafs, they've gone overboard with the depth. They don't just have options; they have a real issue on their hands, as they have more defensemen than they're allowed to keep on a 23-man roster.
Someone who legitimately belongs on an NHL roster could be squeezed out regardless of how well he performs in camp.
Chayka may have to trade a useful defenceman before waivers decide for him
William Villeneuve is already confirmed to require waivers, while veterans such as Troy Stecher and Philippe Myers are also obvious candidates to face the wire if Toronto tries to send them down.
Myers and Stecher have real NHL experience, which makes them perfect candidates to get claimed should they be placed on waivers.
Emil Andrae is also no longer exempt from waivers, which handcuffs the Maple Leafs further in this regard.
Toronto could prefer a player in camp but ultimately make a different roster decision because asset protection and cap mechanics matter alongside performance.
If there is a trade market for a sixth or seventh defenseman, John Chayka should explore that option to avoid losing a player for absolutely nothing.
Toronto's final blue-line decision is not simply about who has the weakest camp. Chayka has to weigh performance against waiver risk, contract value and trade value, because the wrong cut could turn a useful NHL defenceman into a free asset for another team.
Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs have a firm grasp on their defensive depth?
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