One Waiver Defenseman the Maple Leafs Should Seriously Consider
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
If the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to add an offensive piece to their back end they could take a look at yet another San Jose Shark who found himself on waivers.
A lot of concern this season has revolved around whether or not the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be able to bring enough offense to their back end because while they do offer some offensive prowess with Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, there's not much else going on.
Sure they have guys like William Villeneuve, Henry Thrun (more on him in a bit) and even a guy like John Prokop, who while relatively unknown and an NCAA product, is the type of guy who can make goals happen.
Why This Waiver Option Checks Every Box for Brad Treliving and the Leafs
Though, if Toronto wanted to look at external options, one intriguing name just hit the waiver wire.
The San Jose Sharks have been undergoing several roster changes as they manage their cap situation, and in doing so decided to waive defenseman Jack Thompson as well as Lucas Carlsson.
No stranger to using waivers for help, Brad Treliving could look at Thompson as someone who could take over the reins for someone like Benoit or Ekman-Larsson; or at the very least add some pop.
Thompson, 23, had his first real season in 2024-25 and put up a very respectable 10 points in 34 games (4 goals, 6 assists). He also isn't a horrible defender, and has no problem blocking shots.
Plus, him being that ever so coveted right-handed shot means that he would slide in a lot easier in the lineup than others, and give Benoit a break; and also put OEL on his proper side which is a win-win situation.
He was drafted 93rd overall by Tampa Bay in 2020 but traded to the Sharks for forward Anthony Duclair; he's put up solid AHL numbers too with 71 points in 170 games (17 goals, 54 assists) with both Syracuse and San Jose.
GM Brad Treliving has always stressed that adding more bodies on the back end is better than scraping by. Toronto also employs Thompson's old teammate Henry Thrun, who much like Thompson has offensive potential.
Knowing they have played together and are familiar with each other means they could form a solid partnership with the Marlies, grow it over the next couple of seasons and come in to help Toronto and their new defensive corps in a few years.
Plus, there's a very good chance one of their defensemen are going to get hurt or need a night off, and bringing in someone as young and hungry as Thompson could pay off.
It never hurts to have an abundance of help, and for Brad Treliving it awaits in the form of a young, puck-moving defender.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 13 | 697 ANSWERS One Waiver Defenseman the Maple Leafs Should Seriously Consider Should the Maple Leafs go after Jack Thompson on waivers? | ||
| Yes | 319 | 45.8 % |
| No | 378 | 54.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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