Editor In Leaf
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Toronto Maple Leafs: Trade Targeting Sami Vatanen

By Andrew Boehmer

Feb 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen (45) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. The Ducks defeated the Flyers, 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen (45) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. The Ducks defeated the Flyers, 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alright, I know I said I was done, but here’s another defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs to target.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked to the Anaheim Ducks on multiple occasions in regards to a trade.

One guy that’s apparently slipped under the radar until now is Sami Vatanen according to Mark Easson of NHL Trade Rumors via Luke Fox of Sportsnet.

So, it’s now his turn to be under the spotlight for a little while.

In the past, we’ve covered Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Brandon Montour, Josh Manson, Chris Tanev, Jason Demers and Tyson Barrie.

Take a look here for my ideal trades on those guys.

I also covered a few free agent options in Kevin Shattenkirk, Darren Raddysh, and Philip Holm.

Not to mention the projection piece on Calle Rosén and the coverage about signing him alongside Andreas Borgman.

Also, I gave my top three draft selections and then covered the three individually.

Finally, it’s time to give Vatanen a proper look and I apologize for the link dump above.

It seemed appropriate at the time.

Anyways, here we go.

Trade Options

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I’ll cut to the chase right after I give the lowdown like I usually do.

Make sure you check out the Expansion Draft tool on Cap Friendly to have a better idea of what’s around the corner, speaking of who’s to be projected to be protected.

You can get a pretty accurate guess in my opinion at what will unfold in regards to the looming draft and also understand a players cap hit, etc.

Okay, cool.

Time to move on.

The Ducks have a plethora of defensive talent, meaning a pretty good defenseman might be traded instead of just losing him to the Vegas Golden Knights.

If they opt to protect Manson and expose Vatanen then the latter of the two might be involved in a trade.

Who knows?

Here’s what a trade could look like.

The Leafs need to give a little more because van Riemsdyk’s contract is up sooner than Vatanen’s, but that’s just a quick look.

I’d be happy to read some of your thoughts.

Reasoning for Sami Vatanen

Vatanen was drafted 106th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft to the Ducks and has scored 32 goals and 122 points in 265 games played, adding five goals and 20 points in 38 playoff games.

He’s on the smaller side, standing 5’10” and weighing about 183 lb, but shoots right and is only 25 years old, making him a good candidate for the job.

He’s signed through the 2019-20 season with a cap hit of $4.875 million and a modified no trade clause kicking in at the start of the 2018-19 season.

Perfect.

Not a bad deal if you ask me.

He can play a shutdown role under Mike Babcock’s guidance and already possesses a lot of underestimated talent.

Worth a look.

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