Maple Leafs sign Bogosian to 1-year deal worth $1M

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenseman Zach Bogosian to a one-year contract worth $1 million, the team announced Saturday.

Bogosian split the 2019-20 campaign between the Buffalo Sabres and the Tampa Bay Lightning, tallying seven points in 27 games. He skated in 20 playoff contests during the Lightning's Stanley Cup title run, chipping in with four assists while averaging nearly 18 minutes per game.

The 30-year-old will add a much-needed imposing presence to Toronto's blue line. The right-handed defenseman stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 221 pounds, and he racked up 44 hits this past postseason.

Bogosian was drafted third overall in 2008 and has been widely considered a bust, but he's battled numerous injuries during his 12-year career.

However, while healthy and on a playoff team for the first time, Bogosian was a valuable contributor for the Lightning. He spent much of the playoffs paired with Victor Hedman and posting strong underlying numbers, including a 59% Corsi For percentage and a 52.5% expected goals percentage - although the former Norris Trophy winner certainly helped prop up Bogosian.

Toronto also added TJ Brodie to its back end on Friday.