3 Maple Leafs NHL defense targets to bolster their blueline

Q: Who are the top defense targets for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

The article identifies three NHL defensemen that the Maple Leafs are considering to bolster their blueline.

Q: What were the issues with the Maple Leafs' defense in the 2025-26 season?

The Maple Leafs faced significant challenges with their blueline, contributing to a disappointing season.

Q: How is the Maple Leafs' strategy changing for the 2026-27 season?

The Maple Leafs are focusing on strengthening their defensive group to improve their performance in the upcoming season.

Darren Raddysh IMAGN 051526

3 Maple Leafs NHL defense targets to bolster their blueline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2025-26 season was a disaster for the Toronto Maple Leafs for many reasons.

One of them was their shaky blueline. Because of this, the Maple Leafs should be looking to strengthen their defensive group this summer as they aim to bounce back in 2026-27.

Today, we’ll look at three defensemen whom the Maple Leafs should strongly consider targeting this offseason.

Rasmus Andersson, Vegas Golden Knights

If Rasmus Andersson ends up not re-signing with the Vegas Golden Knights, the Maple Leafs should make him one of their top targets of the summer. He would immediately become their top right-shot defenseman if signed and could work on both their power play and penalty kill.

In 81 regular-season games this year, split between the Calgary Flames and Golden Knights, Andersson recorded 17 goals, 30 assists, 47 points, and a plus-4 rating. With numbers like these, he would be a solid pickup for Toronto.

MORE: 5 items Maple Leafs GM John Chayka must address this summer

Darren Raddysh, Tampa Bay Lightning

The Maple Leafs have another notable potential free-agent target in Darren Raddysh. The 30-year-old would give the Maple Leafs an excellent offensive defenseman in their top four if he signed with them. He would also be a major pickup for their top power-play unit, as he thrives on the man advantage.

This season with the Lightning, Raddysh notched 10 goals and 26 points on the power play.

The Maple Leafs would have a lot of competition if they target Raddysh this off-season, though, as he recorded an impressive 22 goals, 48 assists, and 70 points in 73 games this season with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

MORE: Four Coaches The Toronto Maple Leafs Should Consider Hiring

Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues

If St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko is open to waiving his no-trade clause this off-season, the Maple Leafs need to make a big push for him.

The 32-year-old is exactly the kind of steady top-pairing right-shot defenseman that the Maple Leafs are lacking right now.

Parayko would be more than a rental for the Maple Leafs if they acquired him, due to his reasonable $6.5 million cap hit until the end of the 2029-30 season. This undoubtedly adds to his appeal, and it would make sense for Toronto to kick tires on him because of it.