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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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 07: St. Louis Blues Defenceman Alex Pietrangelo (27) calls out to a teammate between play in the first period during the game between the Saint Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers on January 07, 2019 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 07: St. Louis Blues Defenceman Alex Pietrangelo (27) calls out to a teammate between play in the first period during the game between the Saint Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers on January 07, 2019 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

D.J. Llewellyn

Call it obvious, but my dream trade target and acquisition at this year’s trade deadline is Alex Pietrangelo.

He’s rumoured to be available, though that also depends on how well St. Louis is doing by the deadline. The Leafs have needed a good right shot defenseman for well over a decade. This is the chance to add one who is not only one of the top players in the league but signed beyond this year and is still young enough to play well for some time.

Pietrangelo would cost a fortune, but the Leafs window to win has just opened and the time to strike is now while both Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on still on their entry-level deals. I’d hate to do it, but I’d give up a 1st, a forward, and any prospect not named Sandin, if that’s doable.

As hard as it would be, I’d even give up Liljegren.

Players of Pietrangelo’s calibre are hardly ever available. To add one to this team as it’s window opens and potentially have him and Rielly for years to come on the blue line makes the Leafs major contenders for years to come and alleviates a huge problem— our lack of talent on the right side of the blue line.

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