Elliotte Friedman dropped the news early this morning that the Toronto Maple Leafs had interest in the Penguins defender.
Sounds like TOR has interest in Stanley Cup champion Ron Hainsey.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2017
Hainsey was brought in to help shore up the Penguins defensive depth in a deadline move that sent Dany Kristo and a second round pick to the Hurricanes. He played 16 regular season games and 25 playoff games for the Penguins, chipping in a total of 11 points.
Hainsey is a safe stay at home defenseman who would take Roman Polak’s place as the team veteran and fill out the bottom pair. Turning 36 next year, he won't be here very long and is most likely holding a spot while Andrew Nielsen, Travis Dermott and others get some seasoning with the Marlies.
The current rumoured deal is 2 years/$3.25million:
Hearing that Ron Hainsey to @MapleLeafs is a 2 year deal in the 3.25mio range. @NHLNetwork Can play right side as well as being a left shot.
— Brian Lawton (@brianlawton9) July 1, 2017
In a matching rumour it seems that Hainsey-comparable Matt Hunwick is on his way to Pittsburgh. So one third-pairing defender in, one third-pairing defender out. Leafs probably break even on this one.
Matt Hunwick to Pittsburgh. Believe this is a small deal.
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) July 1, 2017
Edited to add: if this is the real deal for Hunwick, this choice to go with Hainsey looks much better.
In addition to @NHL_AaronWard Looks like a three year deal for Hunwick in Pittsburgh
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) July 1, 2017
We’ll give you the complete details when that paperwork is filed.
Believe the Leafs are getting Ron Hainsey on a two-year deal once paperwork is filed past noon ET...
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2017
UPDATE:
Leafs are being as slow and stingy with details but per LeBrun it will be two years with a $3 millon AAV - how that breaks down we don’t know.
Ron Hainsey's 2-yr deal with the Leafs is worth around $3 M per year
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2017
And it’s official, official:
The #Leafs announced today the signing of free agent D Ron Hainsey to a 2-year contract with an AAV of $3 million in each season #TMLtalk
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) July 1, 2017
So, do they mean it’s a straight $3 million each year? Who knows. We’ll find out eventually.
