The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenseman Roman Polak to a one-year, $1.1 million contract, the team announced Sunday.

The 31-year-old blue liner had been practicing with the club, but hadn't earned a contract since a gruesome leg injury ended his season in Game 2 of Toronto's first-round playoff series versus the Washington Capitals.

Although the Maple Leafs have jumped out of the gate to a 6-2 start, the club has allowed 28 goals - the seventh most in the NHL. Polak, already familiar with what head coach Mike Babcock expects of him, will be counted on to help stabilize the back end.

In 75 games with Toronto last season, Polak netted 11 points, averaging 17:55 of ice-time.

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