Saturday afternoon the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they have brought back UFA defenseman Roman Polak.

Polak played 55 games with the Maple Leafs last year, scoring one goal and twelve assists before being traded, along with Nick Spaling, to the San Jose Sharks for Raffi Torres, and 2017 and 2018 second round draft picks.

A bit of a puzzling move, however this could mean the Maple Leafs believe some younger defensemen need more time to stew with the Toronto Marlies, and they had to fill out the D depth. Though players such as Connor Carrick and Frankie Corrado will have to clear waivers if they are to join the Marlies.

As most hockey insiders that we trust are at the cottage today, the AAV salary isn't available right away, but we will update when it becomes public knowledge.

UPDATE July 3 8:15PM: General Fanager has obtained the salary.

Polak is a right shot defensemen, and that is a coveted position with this Leafs team. My first thinking on this signing is that Polak could be this year's Daniel Winnik, brought back and flipped at the deadline again.

What do you think of the move?