A new contract for 160.6 million has been confirmed for the Maple Leafs….

Carlo Colaiacovo, an NHL analyst and former player, predicts that defenseman Chris Tanev, a pending free agent, will sign a free agent contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Tanev, one of the best defensemen available, concluded his four-year, $18 million contract this season and will be eligible to sign a free agent. Speaking on his FirstUp radio show on TSN1050 in Toronto, Colaiacovo states he thinks Tanev will sign with the Maple Leafs in free agency on July 1. It has been reported that Toronto is interested in him.

“I really believe that on July 1st, Chris Tanev will be a Toronto Maple Leaf.” I am aware that despite the Maple Leafs’ best efforts to sign him last season, he is a Toronto native. It was all about how much he wanted to be in Toronto. It was obviously impossible because, despite the Leafs’ willingness to exchange a first-round pick for him, Calgary refused to make a trade with them. However, Colaiacovo stated on FirstUp that “I firmly believe Chris Tanev will be the Maple Leafs’ top target come free agency frenzy on defense.”

According to Colaiacovo, Tanev has been connected to the Maple Leafs and would instantly strengthen their defense’s right side.

Tanev is a defensive defenseman who doesn’t hesitate to stop shots; during the regular season of the previous year, he stopped 207 shots between the Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames. During his 19 playoff games with the Stars, he added 73 blocked shots.