The Toronto Maple Leafs announced the signing of a former Colorado Avalanche blueliner to a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO) on Saturday.
The blueliner in question is Nick Blankenburg, and, well, that pretty much closes the book on the 28-year-old’s time with the Avalanche.
Now, it’s worth noting that Blankenburg isn’t technically a member of the Maple Leafs. He’s just gotten an invitation to Toronto’s camp. If the two sides feel there’s something there, the organization could sign him to a formal contract, be it at the NHL or AHL level.
That said, it’s likely Blankenburg’s last kick at the NHL can.
Blankenburg was an undrafted prospect and managed to make his way into the NHL. Despite being on the smaller side, he’s a solid, puck-moving blueliner who can hold his own in a third-pairing situation. Last season, Blankenburg split time between the Avalanche and Nashville Predators, arriving after the trade deadline. He was evidently a depth move made to secure healthy bodies amid injuries down the stretch. He appeared in 12 regular-season games, tallying two goals and one assist. He played five games in the playoffs, scoring one big goal.
It was his absence in the postseason that left some room for doubt. Even with the need for another blueliner, the Avalanche went with Jack Ahcan instead of Blankenburg. That signaled that he wasn’t really in the Avs’ plans moving forward.
Also, the signing of Noah Juulsen this offseason, presumably as the team’s seventh defenseman, made it clear that Blankenburg wasn’t likely coming back.
Blankenburg didn’t get even get a PTO from Avalanche
One of the issues I had brought up was the fact that Blankenburg was likely hoping for at least a guaranteed one-year deal.
But seeing as how the Leafs gave him a PTO, it seems that the Avalanche didn’t even offer the right-shot blueliner a tryout.
That’s understandable given the moves the Avs made this offseason.
But it’s also interesting that the Avs, even with the limited cap space they have, could have kept Blankenburg around, even as an eighth defenseman.
Perhaps the club felt it wasn’t really fair to keep him in the press box for most of the season. And sending him down to the Eagles might have taken away a roster spot from one of the younger players.
So, there you have it.
Nick Blankenburg will be looking to continue his NHL career in Toronto. There’s a much likelier chance that he’ll make the Leafs. Toronto has a couple of question marks on their blue line. Most notably, Chris Tanev hasn’t been medically cleared to play yet. As such, the Leafs could be looking to add one more defenseman just to keep organizational depth.
Even if Tanev is healthy, the Leafs may still move a blueliner at some point this season. So, having that additional insurance could help the team.
Here’s hoping that Blankenburg gets an NHL contract and has a chance to continue his career in The Bigs.
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