Hermann Hesse

It appears the Leafs' blueline should have a little more depth next season.

According to the Toronto Sun, the Leafs have signed Swedish defenceman Anton Stralman to three-year, entry-level contract. Stralman, who had 21 points in 53 games for Timra IK of the Swedish league, was named one of Sweden's top three players during the World Hockey Championship.

''Anton is a top level defenceman in the Swedish elite league whose hockey sense and puck-moving ability makes him a real asset,'' Leafs general manager John Ferguson told the Sun. ''We are looking forward to training camp and feel that he is well-suited for the new NHL style of play.''

Stralman, who was the 216th pick in the 2005 NHL entry draft, will be hard pressed to crack the Leafs roster which already boasts Tomas Kaberle, Bryan McCabe, Pavel Kubina, Hal Gill, Ian White and Carlo Colaiacovo.