The Leafs' best buy-low defenseman might be hiding in plain sight
Photo credit: Natalie Reid-Imagn Images
With all the talk about the cost of bringing in a defenseman for the Maple Leafs, they could have a perfect buy-low candidate that's just the addition needed.
As the clock ticks away until we find out where big names like Rasmus Andersson and Dougie Hamilton go, the Toronto Maple Leafs are front and center when it comes to rumors and are fighting hard to go after either man as a way to improve.
However with a lack of assets and less cap than others, there is going to be a lot of creativity and work for Brad Treliving to do if he wants to bring in someone without jeopardizing what little he has left.
Though there have been talks about Luke Schenn coming in for a third time, there very well could be another cheap defenseman floating around the market that makes perfect sense.
Brett Kulak could be Toronto's underrated addition if they acquire him
Acquired in the Stuart Skinner deal, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brett Kulak has quietly emerged as an ideal candidate for the Toronto Maple Leafs given his size, defensive awareness and surprisingly solid two-way ability:
Though he doesn't have a huge name around the league, Kulak does the little things well and contributes at both ends of the ice; and was crucial as part of Edmonton's defense corps recently.
He's also a physical guy even if he isn't the heaviest player though still at 6'1 is still a big enough presence and isn't shy about hitting either and doesn't care if he has to block a shot -- he'll do it.
Kulak would be a great addition that improves Toronto's offensive group on the backend and offers them a much more capable NHL defender than a Philippe Myers or Dakota Mermis.
How could Toronto utilize Kulak?
He would shift Simon Benoit into the seventh spot which is perfectly fine considering that Benoit's inconsistencies have hurt the team at times but he's more than capable of spot starts.
Here's how a potential defensive group would look with Kulak in tow:
Rielly - Carlo
McCabe - Stecher
Ekman-Larsson - Kulak
McCabe - Stecher
Ekman-Larsson - Kulak
That gives Toronto both offensive and defensive balance in all three pairings, as well as two versatile defenders in Stecher and Kulak who can swap depending on the situation.
Plus, Kulak can play both penalty kill and the power-play so we could see him be a proto-replacement for Morgan Rielly, or see him take over Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the second unit PP and he'd fit alongside names like Brandon Carlo and Jake McCabe on the PK.
Also to note, Kulak makes the same money as Schenn and is also a free agent though comes in at four years his junior. So if Toronto wants to add some much needed speed and more youth, then he makes a much better choice than Schenn.
It won't take much to bring him in, and we know that Kyle Dubas is more than willing to work with his old team and a mid-level draft pick should do more than suffice.
A new face has appeared in the Maple Leafs' trade plans and could very well impact the team in ways they didn't expect.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Luke Schenn responds to the Maple Leafs links and talks about a potential return
Luke Schenn responds to the Maple Leafs links and talks about a potential return
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 17|1037 ANSWERS The Leafs' best buy-low defenseman might be hiding in plain sight Should the Maple Leafs target Brett Kulak instead of the other rumored players? | ||
| Yes | 334 | 32.2 % |
| No | 509 | 49.1 % |
| Bring him in with a star | 194 | 18.7 % |
| List of polls | ||