Toronto Maple Leafs: Trade Deadline Targets Roundtable

Mike Stephens

Personally, I don’t think the Leafs need to do all that much, come trade deadline time. I know it’s not the most exciting thing to say, but hear me out.

Yes, it would be lovely for the Leafs to go out and grab a top-4, minute-munching D-man. It’s just that the price for a player of that calibre would undoubtedly start with Kasperi Kapanen, Travis Dermott or Timothy Liljegren. And frankly, unless you’re getting a literal mutant in return, such a price is far greater than I’d be willing to pay.

Instead, I think the best thing for them to do is utilize the pieces they have. Dermott has shown to be a fantastic player, and if given the chance, could fill the need for a defenceman. In terms of backup goaltending, Garrett Sparks and Calvin Pickard have formed possibly the most fearsome goalie duo in AHL history for the Marlies. Either player could be plucked from the farm and instantly put up replacement-level or above production.

If the Leafs were forced to make a deal, I’d love for it to be similar to last year’s Brain Boyle trade. Adding an effective fourth line centre could be something that pushes this team over the top.  Dominic Moore clearly isn’t cutting it, and while Frederik Gauthier has been decent in his latest NHL stint, I wouldn’t feel comfortable playing him shut down minutes in a playoff series. The only downside here is that centres come at a premium in this league, so getting an effective one on the cheap is incredibly unlikely to happen.

At the end of the day, stand pat. The pieces to contend are there, they just need to be used properly.