Las Vegas:Brad Treliving, general manager of the Maple Leafs, spent his entire week in Las Vegas focused on defensemen, whether it was gaining the rights to negotiate Chris Tanev, making decisions regarding Timothy Liljegren, or selecting players like Ben Danford.
He has been transparent about his desire to strengthen his blue line, a process that will carry over into Monday’s free agency.
Treliving began the first two draft days at the Sphere with the Oshawa Generals’ Danford, a right-handed blueliner with good defensive skills. He concluded the draft by obtaining the negotiating rights to Tanev, one of the more well-known free agents still to be signed, from the Dallas Stars.
“We wanted to jump the queue and get to him before free agency started as it got closer and looked like he wasn’t going to re-sign in Dallas,” Treliving stated. That is our plan of action. I am familiar with the player. We will begin working on it. thrilled to get the chance to talk to him face-to-face.
Tanev was raised in East York, but these days he probably lives in Markham. At six feet two and right handed, he fits Treliving’s ideal defenseman profile. He is 34 years old. While managing the Calgary Flames, Treliving signed Tanev to a four-year, $18 million (U.S.) contract that was about to expire. Tanev’s team is reportedly seeking an increase from that $4.5 million average yearly salary.
This year in the playoffs with Dallas, Tanev’s reputation as a shot-blocker and tough as nails increased.
Treliving described him as an outstanding defensive defender. We discuss how offensive players notice things and anticipate plays. On the defensive end of the puck, he does the same action. A true fighter. A cultural mediator for his quarters.
“He’s one of the league’s best shutdown defensemen, even with his advanced age.”
Other than shocking the local media by announcing that the Leafs would be staying in Vegas for the start of free agency, Treliving didn’t reveal much details about his plans for free agency. Time restrictions play a major role in that. Free agency and the draft have usually occurred more than a week apart. It’s only two days this year.
The qualifying offers that basically preserve the Leafs’ negotiating rights and shield the franchise in the case of an offer sheet were not disclosed by him for any of the team’s pending restricted free agents. The answer will come on Saturday, which is when Liljegren and the forwards Nick Robertson and Connor Dewar will have to wait.
Regarding unrestricted free agents Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi, who have both indicated a strong desire to stay, Treliving was hesitant to tip his hat, even though the Leafs are currently between $18 million and $20 million under the salary ceiling, pending Tanev’s announcement.
Treliving stated, “We’ll get in touch with them both.” “We need to cover a few gaps. We’ll continue to work on it.
The Leafs congratulated themselves on their efforts throughout the draft. In exchange for obtaining an additional second-round pick and Dandorf, the Leafs sent in their No. 23 pick for the No. 31 pick. On Saturday, they traded the selection to Florida in exchange for a second-round pick in 2025 and a seventh-round pick (defenseman Nathan Mayes). The Leafs now have a respectable 2025 pick. Up to the flip, they had none in the first four rounds. And they acquired Dandorf, whom they said they would have selected at 23 if no one else wanted to take the pick.
“The target was him,” Treliving declared. He’s an underappreciated player, in my opinion. He is an amazing skater. I believe that he will continue to develop his offensive side. He is a man of great character.
Dandorf, who was up as a Leafs fan, is from Madoc, Ontario.
Brandon Pridham was another member of the Leafs crew who had an outstanding day. The assistant general momentarily stepped away from the Leafs table to have a seat with his son Jack, the third-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Pridham was “sitting on the edge of his seat all day,” according to Wes Clark, the amateur scouting director. “The Pridham family is having a great day.”
Right winger Jack Pridham grew up training at the Ford Performance Centre and Scotiabank Arena under the guidance of some of the same coaches that teach the Leafs. He played junior league hockey in British Columbia. Additionally, he was invited to drafts as a runner for the Leafs’ youth team, carrying messages to and from tables.
It’s complete circle, Pridham remarked.
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