Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Defencemen Aiming to Feature Next Season
By Paul Taylor
As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to rebuild, we look at five defencemen who are hoping to be a part of the future in Southern Ontario.
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As we enter the home stretch of the NHL season, the Toronto Maple Leafs are edging ever closer to their goal of finishing bottom of the standings. While 30th place does not guarantee the first overall draft pick, it still gives them the best statistical chance.
However, even as some people look ahead to what they hope will be a brighter tomorrow, there are others still firmly focused on this season. This particularly applies to the majority of the current roster.
Many of the players are fighting and/or auditioning for their future. For example, one reason Lou Lamoriello and the front office moved the likes of James Reimer, was to give the prospects a chance to prove themselves at the top level.
Of particular interest, is to wonder what the blue line will look like next season? With the exception of Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner and Matt Hunwick, everything else is up for grabs.
With that said, there are a number of potentially intriguing options available for the Leafs. We take a look at some of the defencemen hoping to secure their future in Toronto, including weighing up their strengths and weaknesses.
Next: Martin Marincin