Elliotte Friedman Reveals The Defenseman The Leafs Really Wanted In Free Agency
Elliotte Friedman has revealed that before signing John Klingberg, the Toronto Maple Leafs had looked at another FA option on defense prior to locking up Klingberg on July 1st.
Leafs Looked At FA Defensive Add Before Klingberg
During Free Agency, it's expected a team looking to bolster it's defense would be active in discussions for many key players, but Sportsnet Hockey Insider Elliotte Friedman reveals one player the Toronto Maple Leafs had their eye on.
Friedman reports on 'Leafs Morning Take' with Jay Rosehill and Nick Alberga that the Leafs had interest in signing defenseman Matt Dumba, but implies at the time that Johm Klingberg, signed at $4.15M by Toronto, was a cheaper option than Dumba, who later signed to Arizona at $3.9M.
"I think the guy they (Leafs) really wanted on July 1st was Dumba. I think they were in on him. Klingberg came in at $4.15M, Dumba ended up in Arizona for $3.9M but I think at the time he was high in the fives ($5M). I think Toronto really wanted him but they couldn't get the deal done.
Klingberg has been criticized by fans over his play this season, with just 5 Points in 13 Games, scoreless in his last 7, however, Dumba hasn't fared much better, with just 1 Point in 12 Games for the Coyotes. Both Klingberg and Dumba are signed to one-year contracts with Toronto and Arizona respectively.
| POLL | ||
9 NOVEMBRE | 339 ANSWERS Elliotte Friedman Reveals The Defenseman The Leafs Really Wanted In Free Agency Who should the Maple Leafs have signed? | ||
| John Klingberg | 51 | 15 % |
| Matt Dumba | 288 | 85 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
Latest 10 stories
