When the New York Rangers traded Ryan Lindgren to the Colorado Avalanche at last year's trade deadline, most analytically-minded fans like myself felt more relief than anything else. The Rangers organization is best known for handing long-term contracts to aging, declining defensemen. Think back to the contracts of Dan Girardi and Marc Staal, two players who went from beloved Rangers to despised for their on-ice play by Rangers fans.
Henry Thrun falls under the category of newly acquired players, and also will be fighting for a spot on a blueline that already has many bodies. The Leafs traded for the 24 year-old defender in exchange for forward Ryan Reaves. Thrun is in the final year of his contract, and will be expiring as a restricted free agent at the end of the year.