With NHL free agency just around the corner, Nikita Zadorov will hit free agency on Monday at 12 pm ET. There's already some interest from the Toronto Maple Leafs. His performance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs has caught the eye of many teams. They're looking for a big, rugged defenseman who can play in any situation, log over 18 minutes a night, and add some toughness. TSN's Darren Dreger reports that even after trading for Chris Tanev's rights, they're also targeting 2024 Stanley Cup champion from the Florida Panthers, Oliver Ekman-Larsson who's testing the market too. <q> Toronto is positioned to strengthen their blueline. Some creative negotiating is required, but Zadorov and OEL remain prime targets in addition to Tanev. </q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/darrendreger/status/1807141282944606640'> </a></blockquote></div> The Maple Leafs could be a potential landing spot for Zadorov. As a native of Moscow, Russia, and having been traded from the Calgary Flames to the Vancouver Canucks last November, it's been a roller-coaster journey. <q> Liljegren agrees to 2 year extension with Toronto at $3 mil per. The Leafs are still in on OEL. Zadorov is likely too expensive. They like Matt Roy but sounds like he may be headed a different direction. Hence, Liljegren provides some affordable insurance. </q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/darrendreger/status/1807519921582068045'> </a></blockquote></div> This past season, he had 20 points and 125 penalty minutes, with an even rating in 75 regular season games. The 29 year-old elevated his game to the next level in the playoffs, with eight points in 13 games and being one of the Canucks' best defensemen at times. We'll see what tomorrow brings, but there's a good chance GM Brad Treliving can lure two big defensemen and beef up their blueline Source: Canucks Daily <a href='https://www.canucksdaily.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/the-frontrunners-to-land-nikita-zadorov-on-free-agency-have-been-identified' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>The frontrunners to land Nikita Zadorov on free agency have been identified</a>