Toronto Maple Leafs Linked to Hulking Vancouver Canucks Defenseman As Jani Hakanpaa Replacement
The Toronto Maple Leafs' off-season moves are paying off well for them this year, but now the team could target Vincent Desharnais as a replacement for Jani Hakanpaa.
This past summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs made some huge additions, with the trio of Chris Tanev, Anthony Stolarz, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson paying off in a big way, but unfortunately, one move stood out as a bad one from GM Brad Treliving.
That would be the signing of veteran Jani Hakanpaa, who came to Toronto plagued with injuries, and after playing just two games this season, it's safe to say that it was the wrong call to ignore the pleas to not bring him in.
Now however, the team has a chance to find a tall replacement for their bottom pairing or as the seventh defenseman, with the team reportedly having interest in Vincent Desharnais dating back to last season.
"Before Toronto traded Sam Lafferty to Vancouver (a nice pickup), the Maple Leafs called the Oilers.
Edmonton's liked him for a while, poking around last season before he was moved by Chicago. It obviously didn't happen, but the Maple Leafs asked about Vincent Desharnais.
He fits what they are looking for."
Edmonton's liked him for a while, poking around last season before he was moved by Chicago. It obviously didn't happen, but the Maple Leafs asked about Vincent Desharnais.
He fits what they are looking for."
That comes from NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, who reveals that Toronto called Edmonton about Desharnais last season, and now, he has reportedly been made available by the Vancouver Canucks.
It's unclear if Toronto would be willing to part way with what Vancouver is asking for to land Desharnais, but if Hakanpaa isn't going to be available, getting a relatively cheap replacement is the move to make.
Ultimately, the Canucks are likely to move Desharnais for whatever they can get for him, and if Toronto wants to go all-in for a Stanley Cup this season, this should be one of a few moves they make to solidify this already-loaded roster.
| POLL | ||
Would Vincent Desharnais be a fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 108 | 61.4 % |
| No | 68 | 38.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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