Defensemen Roman Polak has signed a try-out offer with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He goes to training camp looking for a contract.
Roman Polak is in #leafs camp on a PTO. Good bet to get a contract.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 14, 2017
Roman Polak Signs PTO with Leafs
The 6′ 2″, 235 lb, Polak spent last season playing under Mike Babcock for the Toronto Maple Leafs after signing a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the club last off-season. Last season was Polak’s second stint with the blue and white after being involved in a deadline deal with San Jose in March 2015. In 75 games last season, Polak played an average of 17:55 minutes a night while also adding four goals and 11 points on the season. Known for his defence and for his physical play, Polak also added 133 blocks and led Leaf blue liners with 232 hits. After a solid regular season, his post season was cut short after a gruesome leg injury. The injury occurred in game two of the Eastern Conference First Round after being hit by Washington Capitals defensemen Brooks Orpik. The injury forced Polak out for the remainder of the seasons.
Career
The native of Czech Republic broke into the National Hockey League during the 2006-2007 season after being drafted in the 6th round two years earlier. That season, Polak played 19 games with the St Louis Blues. After only managing to play 6 NHL games the following year, Polak managed to make the full time jump to the NHL to begin the 2008-2009 campaign with the Blues. In his first full season, Polak recorded one goal and fifteen points with a plus minus rating of minus 15. After six full seasons in St Louis, Polak has spent the last three seasons playing 186 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and 24 games in 2016 with the San Jose Sharks. In 634 career NHL games, Polak has recorded 115 points and a ridiculous 1598 hits.
By signing the right shot Roman Polak, his new club will be getting a lower pairing, depth blue liner that is hard to play against. His physicality and experience will definitely help solidify their defence core for the immediate future.
Main Photo: TORONTO, CANADA – OCTOBER 02: Chris Terry #15 of the Montreal Canadiens skates with Roman Polak #46 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL preseason game at Air Canada Centre on October 2, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) .
