Toronto Maple Leafs: Trade Targeting Josh Manson

The Toronto Maple Leafs are still looking for that top pairing shutdown defenseman they so desperately need.

I’ll say it again, the Toronto Maple Leafs need to acquire this kind of defenseman to instantly improve the team moving forward.

I’ve already given a few options in the past couple months as to who they could target via a trade.

Kevin Shattenkirk, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Brandon Montour.

We all know which one I’m leaning on, though.

But, there’s always more options, cough, Josh Manson?

Okay, let’s go a little further with that.

Trade Options

With an abundance of young stars up front to use as trade bait, the Leafs should have no trouble enticing a partner such as the Anaheim Ducks who happen to be stockpiled with a good defensive group.

They’re perfect trade partners.

But, who do the Leafs trade for a guy like Manson?

Well, to answer that question I’m going to simply say that if I were to propose a trade, people would jump all over that.

You know who you are.

Tisk, tisk.

You also know what kind of package I’d be willing to part ways with, meaning there’s no reason to reiterate.

So, I’m just going to name a few players and I want you all to tell me your ideal trade for Manson.

James van Riemsdyk (think about it)
Kasperi Kapanen (I know, I know)
Nikita Soshnikov (Yes, Sosh)
Josh Leivo (I don’t want that to happen)
Brendan Leipsic (potentially)
Tobias Lindberg (yes)
Kerby Rychel (wait…)

Okay, there’s a few names to toy with and by no means are they the only ones.

Just a few to get the wheels turning.

Also, feel free to use picks and salary retention if that’s your style.

Now, I know the Expansion Draft is around the corner.

That being said, check out this tool on Cap Friendly and play around with it a little to get a better understanding of the market.

Let’s just kind of forget about the implications of the draft as I want to see what the general consensus would be to acquire Manson in a trade.

Have at it.

Reasoning for Josh Manson

At the very least, I can explain why Manson would be a pretty good fit on the Leafs blueline.

Right?

More from Editor In Leaf

Manson was drafted 160th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft to the Ducks and has played in 181 regular season games, scoring 10 goals and 35 points.

In nine playoff games to date, he’s been able to put up two points.

Now, Manson’s not known as an offensive defenseman, which isn’t a bad thing for the Leafs who have a lot of offensively minded defenseman already.

However, he’s a special player who possesses a heavy right handed shot and likes to fire the puck from the point.

Not to mention that he brings a certain tenacity and physicality to the game, speaking directly of his bone crushing hits.

Manson’s a big boy, standing 6’3″ and weighing about 215 lb.

That’s a large frame to get past.

He very well could be the right person for the job and his size shouldn’t turn you away from the idea of him being a Leaf because it actually plays to his advantage.

He’s pretty mobile despite his stature and is more defensively minded than most.

This guy’s quite the exciting player who should provoke some interest from the Leafs given that the Ducks see something working out.

Thoughts?

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