Ex-Leafs Defenseman Lands a Surprise Extension

NHL Trade Talk is calling this one a shocker, which usually means the market did not have this move penciled in. A former Maple Leafs defenseman getting an extension is the kind of transaction that reminds you how quickly a player’s value can shift once he finds the right fit. Around the league, the people who matter notice these deals because they often say as much about the team’s plans as they do about the player.