Toronto Maple Leafs management have high hopes for recently signed defenseman

It was announced in April that the Maple Leafs had signed right hand shot defenseman Nick Mattinen to a one-year two-way deal worth $775,000. According to eliteprospects.com, the 26-year-old who stands at six feet six in 225 lbs was drafted by the Leafs in 2016, in the sixth round 179th overall.

Having been unable to breakthrough the HL into the NHL, Mattinen decided to go overseas and play for DEL in Germany where last season, he played 52 games, scoring 16 goals with 30 assists for 46 points and had 36 penalty minutes and was a + 14. He also played twelve games in the playoffs and had seven points.

As the Maple Leafs continue to stock up the Marlies with defensemen of all ages from drafted players through free agents, a player like Mattinen could become invaluable and give the Maple Leafs depth who could be supplemented for an injury or even down the stretch of the season.

What could be an advantage for the Maple Leafs and general manager Brad Treliving is that Mattinen is 26 years old and not being a rookie with several years of experience in hockey at a professional level could be a diamond in the rough.

Saying all this, it will come down to his play and his determination to the Maple Leafs management that he could be ready for a step into the NHL while giving the Marlies more depth to work with.

Source: Eliteprospects.com