{"id":527817,"date":"2026-03-28T16:36:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T16:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/527817\/"},"modified":"2026-03-28T16:36:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T16:36:15","slug":"the-maple-leafs-just-signed-a-second-right-shot-defenseman-in-two-days-to-fix-the-depth-from-the-ahl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/527817\/","title":{"rendered":"The Maple Leafs just signed a second right shot defenseman in two days to fix the depth from the AHL"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n\t\t\t\t\t \"University <\/p>\n

Photo credit: University of Maine<\/p>\n

The Toronto Maple Leafs added some serious offensive firepower on the blueline as they continue to grow their prospect pipeline as they signed University of Maine defender Frank Djurasevic to a two-year AHL deal on Saturday.<\/p>\n

While it wasn’t the big club announcement, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate the Toronto Marlies revealed that they had signed Djurasevic to a two-year deal with him joining the team right away on an amateur tryout.<\/p>\n

Who is Frank Djurasevic and why did multiple NHL teams want him<\/p>\n

Djurasevic, 24, is a dual citizen of Canada and the US and has spent the last two seasons with Maine where he shone brightly. In 72 games he had 42 points and a plus-24 rating; he also spent a year at Merrimack College where he had 10 points in 35 games.<\/p>\n

While he is a little bit older, there is a good reason too as to why Djurasevic was signed. The Marlies are dealing with a lot of injuries as they head into the postseason so having as much insurance as possible is key; and Djurasevic sure offers that.<\/p>\n

Plus, for Toronto needing someone who isn’t afraid to shoot \u2014 Djurasevic solves that in spades:<\/p>\n

Hundley and Djurasevic give Treliving two right shot prospects the Leafs system didn\u2019t have a week ago<\/p>\n

There’s a lot of discussion about how the Maple Leafs can make serious changes to their back end and clearly they are loading up to find their next diamond in the rough.<\/p>\n

Hundley is a towering presence at 6-foot-3, 207 pounds and loves to be physical while also offering some decent offensive production, meanwhile Djurasevic is someone who could be their second PP quarterback and secondary puck-mover.<\/p>\n

So we can kind of compare what these players are going to be like in terms of current roster. Hayes is like Jake McCabe \u2014 a shutdown defender who can give you points, play tough, blocks shots, throw hits, and be aware.<\/p>\n

Now Djurasevic could be seen as the right-handed version of Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and while he’s not that elite presence that OEL was in his early career, he’s a great comparison. Both are bigger offensive-minded players who are solid on defence and Djurasevic is 10 years younger.<\/p>\n

But the main focus has to be the handedness. Toronto seems to enjoy employing left-handed shots on the right side and while certain guys can do that, there needs to be more balance.<\/p>\n

Add Vincent Borgesi into the mix and that’s three right-handed shots to slide into the lineup going forward and the team who desperately needs some offensive help has a sudden influx of new talent.<\/p>\n

Previously on Hockey Patrol<\/p>\n

POLL<\/p>\n

2 HOURS AGO|92 ANSWERS<\/p>\n

The Maple Leafs just signed a second right shot defenseman in two days to fix the depth from the AHL up<\/p>\n

Will the Maple Leafs call up Frank Djurasevic for next season?<\/p>\n

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