Maple Leafs sign former draft pick Mattinen to 1-year, 2-way contract

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced they signed defenseman Nicolas Mattinen to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 that begins next season.

Mattinen, 26, accrued 16 goals and 46 points in 52 games with the German league's Straubing Tigers this season. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound blue-liner was named the DEL Player of the Year.

The Orleans, Ontario, native was drafted 179th overall by the Maple Leafs in 2016 but wasn't signed after his OHL career ended. Mattinen played two seasons at the University of Ottawa, winning U Sports Defenceman of the Year in 2022.

After a brief eight-game tenure with the AHL's Laval Rocket, Mattinen joined Villacher SV in the Austrian league for its 2022-23 campaign. He tallied 12 goals and 42 points and was a plus-37 in 46 games.

Mattinen is the latest big defenseman acquired by the Maple Leafs. Toronto has added 6-foot-3 Simon Benoit, 6-foot-5 Joel Edmundson, and 6-foot-7 prospect Cade Webber since Brad Treliving took over as general manager.