What Happened
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Sunday that defenceman Nick Blankenburg has signed a one-year, $1.4-million contract. The agreement came after Blankenburg joined the club on a professional tryout. The 28-year-old is coming off a career-best season in which he recorded eight goals and 16 assists split between the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche. He also appeared in five playoff games for Colorado, scoring once while averaging 9:24 of ice time.
Key Details
- Contract: one-year, $1.4-million with Toronto.
- Earned the deal after a professional tryout with the Maple Leafs.
- Last season: career-high 24 points (8 goals, 16 assists) with Nashville and Colorado.
- Playoffs: five games with Colorado, one goal, 9:24 average ice time.
- Career: 178 NHL games, 18 goals and 40 assists.
- Toronto's third-pairing options include Troy Stecher and Emil Andrae.
What It Means
Blankenburg gives Toronto another right-shot option on a blue line that now has added depth. His career-best offensive season and playoff experience with Colorado made him a low-risk addition after his tryout. The one-year term keeps the commitment short while he competes for a role among the club's third-pairing defencemen.
What's Next
Blankenburg will compete for a spot on Toronto's blue line alongside Troy Stecher and Emil Andrae as the club sorts out its third-pairing defencemen.