Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Defencemen Aiming to Feature Next Season

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Feb 25, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Stuart Percy (50) carries the puck as Carolina Hurricanes forward Kris Versteeg (32) defends during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

5) Stuart Percy

Contract status: Final season of three-year $3.412 million contract & set to become a RFA this summer

Drafted: 25th overall (first round) in 2011, by the Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL career stats: 12 games / 3 assists / -6 / 16:51 average ice time

This season with the Leafs: 3 games / 0 assists / -2 / 13:10 average ice time

Strengths: Percy is usually very composed on the ice, keeping the game simple and making few mistakes in the defensive zone.

Weaknesses: Needs to build up his body to better cope with the physical nature of the game and is unlikely to run the power play at the NHL level.

What he offers Toronto: After starting last season with the Leafs, he seemed to take a step back in his development, due in part to injuries. Toronto still has high hopes for him, but he needs to take advantage of his size. Overall, he is a solid puck-moving defenceman with some offensive ability.

Notes: Helped the U18 Canadian team win gold in the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Tournament.

Next: 3 goaltenders the Leafs should pursue

Which of the five defencemen reviewed do you see having a long-term future on the Leafs blue line and why? What about Scott Harrington, who was shut down for the rest of the season due to injury, or Rinat Valiev, who made his Leafs debut against the Senators? Let us know in the comments section below.

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