TORONTO — Last season with the Rangers, defenseman Matt Hunwick watched a lot of hockey.

He sat out 27 games as a healthy scratch, getting most of his playing time filling in when Ryan McDonagh, Dan Boyle and Kevin Klein were injured. He had two goals and nine assists and was eighth among Rangers defensemen in average ice time per game.

As an unrestricted free agent last summer, he was looking for an opportunity to be a regular among his team’s top six defensemen.

He found one in Toronto and has taken full advantage.

Not only is Hunwick part of the Leafs’ top six defenseman, he is second to only Dion Phaneuf in average ice time (22 minutes 25 seconds) through 23 games.