Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Targets for the Trade Deadline

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 14: Kasperi Kapanen #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal with teammates Auston Matthews #34, Andreas Johnsson #18, and Nikita Zaitsev #22 against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on January 14, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 14: Kasperi Kapanen #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal with teammates Auston Matthews #34, Andreas Johnsson #18, and Nikita Zaitsev #22 against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on January 14, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
1 of 6
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 07: Colton Parayko #55 of the St. Louis Blues skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on January 07, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Blues shut-out the Flyers 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 07: Colton Parayko #55 of the St. Louis Blues skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on January 07, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Blues shut-out the Flyers 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs have just passed the midpoint of the 2018-19 NHL season and that means the trade deadline is quickly approaching

Trade season is starting up and the Toronto Maple Leafs surely want to take advantage of any opportunity they can to improve their team.

After all, the Leafs have been in a little bit of a slump, winning just three games in the month of January so far. If they want to compete, they will need to look into filling any holes they can possibly fill before the playoffs arrive.

According to TSN‘s Pierre LeBrun, the Leafs are willing to make trades which would include their 2019 first round draft pick. Presumably, this draft pick would be used to chase someone to fill the Leafs biggest hole, a strong top-four defencemen.

As we take a look at the Leafs trade deadline wish list, let’s keep in mind that the most needed asset is a defenceman, but the Leafs may need other things too. Here are five players the Leafs may want to go after this trade deadline.