Insider reveals ‘The One That Got Away’ from the Maple Leafs in free agency.

According to NHL source Chris Johnston, the Toronto Maple Leafs were interested in signing Matt Roy as a free agency. The Maple Leafs’ goal in free agency was to upgrade their blueline, and before free agency began, they signed Chris Tanev to a six-year contract. However, Toronto signed Stanley Cup-winning defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson in free agency to a four-year contract. However, according to Johnston, the Maple Leafs’ original aim was to sign Roy, but he ultimately signed with the Washington Capitals.

I believe Matt Roy was a little of the one that got away. They were intrigued in Brady Skjei, but it was evident early on that wasn’t going to be the case. They called on Pesce, but I didn’t get the impression that it was ever (near). Roy was a major target,” Johnston stated on the SDPN podcast on July 8. Roy ultimately signed a six-year, $35.4 million contract with the Capitals as one of the NHL’s best free-agent defensemen. Roy is slated to be Washington’s second-line right defenseman behind John Carlson, helping to fortify the Capitals’ defensive core.

Roy was drafted in the seventh round of the 2015 NHL draft by the Los Angeles Kings and has spent the last six years with the team. Last season, he recorded 5 goals and 20 assists for 25 points in 81 games but is a shutdown defenseman.