Maple Leafs Sign Nick Blankenburg To One-Year Deal Worth A Reported $1.4M: Full Roster & Salary Cap Implications

Blankenburg arrived at camp unsigned after a quiet free-agency period and has spent the last two weeks trying to prove he belongs. He has been a consistent pairing with newly acquired defenceman Emil Andrae , a look the Leafs kept together through the Arizona trip and Saturday's practice at Mullett Arena .

Last season was the best offensive year of Blankenburg's career. He recorded eight goals and 24 points in 61 games between the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche , averaging 16:48 per night. He had 21 points in 49 games with Nashville before a March deadline trade to Colorado , then added three points in 12 regular-season games and a goal in five playoff appearances. For his NHL career, the undrafted University of Michigan product has 18 goals and 58 points in 176 games with Columbus, Nashville and Colorado. He is 5-foot-9 and 177 pounds, a right shot who has never been defined by size.

Head coach Jim Hiller, seemingly impressed with the player's camp, stated that Blankenburg is an NHL defenseman . The Leafs were fortunate he was available on a tryout. The $1.4 million number, negotiated with agent Pat Brisson of CAA Hockey, is more than the league minimum some fans wanted, but it is still a depth price for a player coming off career-high production.