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) /

2 of 6

RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 13:Jaccob Slavin #74 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates with the puck during an NHL game against the Nashville Predators on January 13 ,2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Jaccob Slavin

Back when William Nylander was still unsigned, I toyed with the desire of possibly acquiring Jaccob Slavin from the Carolina Hurricanes.

He’s a young, solid top 4 defencemen who has a great contract and is only headed up from here. Now that the Nylander saga is over, the Toronto Maple Leafs may still want to pursue Slavin through other means.

The Canes want help on the forward front, which is where the Leafs are pretty loaded. If the Toronto Maple Leafs can work out a trade, they could explore this opportunity.

Slavin is a 6’3 left-side defenseman, who is only 24 years-old. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 draft, but he has long since surpassed the expectations of such a low pick.

Slavin is a great puck mover with speed and power. He would be a great addition to any blueline, but is also said to be the one player the Hurricanes won’t trade.

Home/Editorials