New York Rangers Rumor: Wade Redden Drawing Interest from Toronto Maple Leafs?

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Of all the New York Rangers' offseason moves last summer, none caused more people to scratch their heads than the six years and $39 million handed to free agent defenseman Wade Redden.

Redden was coming off another disappointing season in Ottawa and appeared to be hitting the downslope of his career. 

After another disappointing season, this time with a bloated contract with the Rangers, Redden is considered by many to be untradeable. 

But that may not be the case.

According to reports by Tim Wharnsby in yesterday's Globe and Mail, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke may be interested in acquiring the underachieving defenseman. Wharnsby speculates that acquiring Redden could be a precursor to Burke dealing one of the Leafs' two veteran defensemen—Tomas Kaberle or Pavel Kubina. 

It's unclear what the Leafs would offer the Rangers in return. 

Clearing Redden's salary off the cap would provide the Blueshirts with considerable flexibility in pursuing free agents to shore up their power play and anemic offense. Both of these shortcomings contributed to another early exit from this year's playoffs. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?