The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for reinforcements to bolster their defense corps. The latest news indicates that the franchise has left the race for the No. 1 defenseman in San Jose.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported on June 21 that the Toronto Maple Leafs have stopped pursuing San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro.
The Maple Leafs want to get bigger on the blue line and are looking for big, physical defencemen,” Pagnotta wrote. “One player no longer on their radar is Mario Ferraro.
“The Leafs and San Jose Sharks had discussions during the season, but I’m told he does not fit their current plan.”
The Leafs showed interest in Ferraro during the 2023-24 regular season and early in the offseason, but he no longer fits their roster for the upcoming season. That, consequently, might put the Leafs in the chase for other reported targets linked to the team of late.
Most prominently, it looks like the team is focusing on acquiring bigger, more physical defensemen via free agency, aiming at landing at least two top-pair-caliber players.
Previous Links Between Maple Leafs and Sharks’ Mario Ferraro
The Maple Leafs have been linked to Mario Ferraro throughout the 2023-24 season and at the start of June.
David Pagnotta first reported the Leafs’ interest in Ferraro on February 20, 2024, a little over two weeks before the March 8 trade deadline.
“The Toronto Maple Leafs have interest in Ferraro and are more likely to move a first-round pick for an asset with term,” Pagnotta wrote. “Including a first-rounder in a package could be of interest to both clubs.”
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