Today a new report from NHL insider David Pagnotta has indicated that the Toronto Maple Leafs have an interest in free-agent forward Chandler Stephenson.
With the season over for the Toronto Maple Leafs the focus shifts to the offseason. One are many expect the Maple Leafs to try and improve is their depth at forward.
One report today from insider David Pagnotta revealed that one depth forward the Maple Leafs are expected to target is Stanley Cup Champion Chandler Stephenson. He is expected to draw interest not just from the Toronto Maple Leafs but the Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, his former team the Washington Capitals, and several other contenders.
Stephenson's camp and the Golden Knights are going to speak in the next week or two and go from there. If he prices himself out of Vegas, like many expect, he'll draw a ton of interest and I suspect teams like Boston, Vancouver, Toronto, Washington, Carolina, Nashville and several others will pick up the phone. - David Pagnotta
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, this would be the perfect middle-six addition. He could play second or third-line center and take pressure off of John Tavares playing more minutes on nights that Tavares struggles. In each of the last 3 seasons, Chandler Stephenson has eclipsed the 50-point mark.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs can bring Chandler Stephenson in on a short-term contract that makes sense for both sides it could be the splash of the offseason for the Toronto Maple Leafs.