October 26, 2023; Dallas, Texas, United States; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman John Klingberg (3) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Toronto Maple Leafs at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory credit: Jérôme Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sports Network: David Amber, Nick Kypreos and Justin Boure talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs blue line and what’s needed.
**Transcript from NHLRumors.com
Amber: “Alright, let’s look at the big picture now and we talked about the Leafs’ defensive core and, you know, Jake McCabe is clearly one of the glue guys there. So here’s their, sort of their defensive and defensive depth chart. Easy to say (Conor) Timmins, (Timothy) Liljgren, (John) Klingberg all injured. Klingberg is also part of the equation here, right Nick?
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Kypreos: “He is, and we think Conor Timmins will be available next week, next weekend, in Chicago and Pittsburgh.
But Klingberg is the question mark here, where you’re going, moving forward with him. And, you know, the speculation for me has everything to do with maybe two hip surgeries earlier in his career and whether or not those will come back to haunt him right now.
But the biggest question is: guys, the names Zadorov, Tanev, they exist. Who else is there? Who would the Leafs potentially be competing against? And you know, just to bring it full circle with you JB, if, if McCabe is the McCabe the Leafs thought they were getting, does that make a Zadorov less attractive? Can you have Zadorov and McCabe in the same lineup?
Is Zadorov better than McCabe?
Bourne: “If you look at what the Leafs don’t have, I think you would say, big, strong guys who hit, which McCabe does, and provide offense like Zadorov, McCabe not so much.
So he has certain elements that the Leafs don’t have. But good McCabe could provide some of that. He also makes $2 million for them, which is really nice this year and next year.
Kypreos: “And yes, for me, is Zadorov legitimately in the top four? I do not think so. I think he’s McCabe when McCabe is around and yes I get it, he’s bigger and he can have a bigger impact on hits.
Amber: “He scored 14 goals last year. He did it, he provided offense that we haven’t seen from many Leafs defensemen.
Bourne: The Leafs don’t have any of that. They had no infractions from the backend.
Kypreos: I just don’t know if he’s top four for a team like the Leafs who always expect to be…”
Amber: So who would be good then Nick if you’re playing, you know, it’s hard because…”
Kypreos: “The biggest problem here is that, like many teams, it’s money that comes in and money goes out.
Amber: “Yes.”
Kypreos: “So what will you have to sacrifice? But to me, the Leafs should focus on a legitimate top four. Out of Calgary, I think Hanifin would be a much better fit for the Leafs in a perfect world, aside from how to get him, than a guy like Zadorov.
Bourne: “Is Klingberg even tradeable, like given these injuries. Like he’s a guy, are you talking about money?
Kypreos: “Yeah, no, no. Klingberg is at the point where it could cost you a draft pick or prospect to cash out right now.
Bourne: “Is there any chance he will be a candidate for LTIR?”
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Kypreos: “I think there is an excellent chance, from what we hear in Sweden.”
Amber: “Wow. So it’s interesting. Something to keep an eye on, and once again, make headlines until March 8, so let’s get some of that juice for the next few months. But it’s clear the Leafs will eventually be in the market, of course, to continue adding depth.
