NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs Searching For Defensive Depth

The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to kick off the 2022-23 season short a couple of defencemen including Timothy Liljegren and Jordie Benn. Both will still miss some time, but Toronto is only carrying 12 forwards and six defencemen currently.

It's not an ideal situation with the cap, but not only are those two NHL defencemen on the injured reserve, Carl Dahlstrom and Axel Rindell are as well. Elliotte Friedman believes that the Maple Leafs will continue to explore defensive depth that is waiver-exempt or have cleared waivers to help with the injury blow to the organization.

They have a plethora of forward prospects and depth forwards that can be used to make a move happen. Many impressed in training camp, but the Maple Leafs are forced to be short-staffed in the NHL, so a number of these players had to pass through waivers or be sent down to the AHL.

The Maple Leafs made a couple of depth signings at forward this offseason to add to the strong depth they have. Teams can never predict injuries, and they didn't come at a great time all at once for them. A minor-league deal may be coming soon.