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Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Trade Deadline Wishlist

By Mike Stephens

NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 12: Radko Gudas #3 of the Philadelphia Flyers plays the puck against the New Jersey Devils during the game at Prudential Center on January 12, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 12: Radko Gudas #3 of the Philadelphia Flyers plays the puck against the New Jersey Devils during the game at Prudential Center on January 12, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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UNIONDALE, NY – JANUARY 17: Brian Boyle #11 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the New York Islanders at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 17, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. New York Islanders defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NY – JANUARY 17: Brian Boyle #11 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the New York Islanders at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 17, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. New York Islanders defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /

David Scala

As the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline nears, the Toronto Maple Leafs should be preparing to make a couple of moves to shore up their roster for what they hope to be a long playoff run this spring.

Solidify Center Depth

The Toronto Maple Leafs are top 3 in the NHL in centre depth, but in the playoffs, top 3 might not cut it. The rotation of Lindholm and Gauthier has been a pleasant surprise for the Maple Leafs, but an upgrade at centre will do the Leafs wonders.

Target: Brian Boyle

Brian Boyle is on the remaining year of his 2 year/$2.55M contract for the NJ Devils. Boyle had a fantastic playoff with the Maple Leafs in 2016/2017 and is familiar with many of the current players on the roster; including former linemate Kasperi Kapanen.

Boyle has had a solid year, and adding him to the 4th line arguably pushes Toronto’s centre depth to the top.

Trade: Chris Mueller + 3rd round pick, or 2nd round pick (cost a 2nd in 2017)

Upgrade On Right Defence

It is no secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs defence lacks on the right side.

Hainsey/Zaitsev/Ozhiganov is just not going to cut it, which is realistically the same right side as last season without Roman Polak.

Target: D- Radko Gudas

Gudas has one year left on his current deal at $3.35M. The hard-nosed right-handed defenseman has arguably been the best defender on the Flyers this season and has quietly scored 13pts in 45GP while also posting a +9 rating. Gudas is being used in the defensive zone 67.2% of the time, the most in his entire NHL career. Gudas would be a great option to pair with Rielly, bumping Zaitsev down and allowing Babcock to manage Ron Hainsey’s 5v5 usage.

Trade: Marincin + 2nd, 3rd & 4th round pick

Leafs Cap Space: $5,537,769

Money Out: Marincin- $800,000 Money In: Gudas + Boyle- $5,900,000

Cap Space: $437, 769

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