Maple Leafs have a specific defenseman they're targeting as Chris Tanev recovers
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The Maple Leafs are searching for a stay-at-home defenseman, likely a third or fourth pairing piece, as Chris Tanev heals and GM John Chayka works the market.
The Toronto Maple Leafs want a responsible, stay-at-home defenseman, and a report from The Fourth Period says the role could be a third or fourth pairing spot.
That gives a clear look at what GM John Chayka is shopping for.
Toronto has been searching for help on the back end since the preseason, and the need grew once Chris Tanev left a game against Colorado on Oct. 10 with an upper-body injury.
The 36-year-old went on injured reserve and was listed as week-to-week.
Why this fit matters
Tanev had been skating on the second pair next to Morgan Rielly as the steady defensive presence.
Losing him hurts more because Chayka sent Emil Andrae to Columbus a day before the season in the trade that brought Kirill Marchenko to Toronto.
The preference, according to David Pagnotta, is a defender who stays home but still moves well enough to get the puck out of the zone.
Chayka talked about that style when he was introduced.
Earlier reporting pointed to a second-pair type, so the exact slot looks flexible.
The cap is the real hurdle
Money is the tricky part. Pagnotta noted that Toronto's cap picture for next season is crowded, which makes this a contract in, contract out situation.
Any addition likely sends a salary the other way.
Tanev's $4.5 million cap hit is part of that math, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson is one veteran who could draw into the lineup while the search continues.
Expect Chayka to keep making calls.
A depth defender who can clear the crease and handle tough minutes is the kind of piece that can change how this blue line looks night to night.
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