Toronto Maple Leafs Not Done: Possible Trade Deadline Targets

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded for top-pairing defenseman Jake Muzzin on Monday.

By adding Jake Muzzin, the Toronto Maple Leafs solidified the biggest weakness on a roster that was already among the best in the NHL.  With a blue-line now featuring three legitimate top-thirty (AKA #1) defenseman, as well as three #1 centres, the Leafs now have one of the best rosters ever assembled in the salary cap era.

And their rivals in Tampa continue to dress Roman Polak clone Dan Giardi, not to mention Ryan Callahan.

Yes, it’s a great day in Leafland when you can honestly say for the first time in your life that the Toronto Maple Leafs have the best roster in the NHL.  You might say I’m a homer, but what I am telling you is an objective fact.  There are 31 teams and so one in 31 homers is actually right.

But back to the task at hand: Identifying further possible additions.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are most likely not done.  They have the cap space, why would they stop now?  Whether it’s a depth addition or another front-line player, it’s highly unlikely that with a month to play and the team in seventh place overall despite playing zero games with their optimal lineup, that they would be interested in restraint at this point.

It wouldn’t make any sense to enter the playoffs with Hansey and Zaitsev making up one-third of your blueline.

This is, after all, the last year in which Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews will be cheap.  Sure, the team plans on competing for years to come, and they definitely will.  But a situation where two of the NHL’s best players (again, actual fact, not my opinion) are without a significant cap-hit is unlikely to ever happen again.

So that means the Leafs have to take advantage.

A lot of people are worried about next year’s cap space.  Well that is for Kyle Dubas to worry about over the summer when he’s drunk on Champagne he just drank out of a hundred  year old trophy.

Josh Anderson  by Josh Lawrence

Josh Andersen would be a great add to the Toronto Maple Leafs,  because he is a solid secondary scorer who provides an element of physicality that the Leafs forward group is missing.

Anderson plays on the right which makes him a much better alternative to Connor Brown, who’s play doesn’t really belong anywhere other than the 4th line right wing position.

Anderson also makes about 300K less than Brown,  and would not be a rental as he is signed through next season. The problem with this is that he is likely too good to play on the 4th line.  As well as Columbus may not want to part with him as they are struggling to find good secondary scoring.

But if he was available, who would the Leafs trade for him? Brown, Lindholm and a prospect?

The Blue Jackets need secondary scoring and I don’t think Columbus would be convinced Brown or Lindholm could fill that void. People like to think a change of scenery could help but they are on a winning team so I’m not sure that the scenery is the problem.

The only way I see Columbus pulling the trigger on a deal is if Kapanen or Johnsson is going the other way. The Leafs have a strong group of forwards but  are definitely weaker on the left than the right, and while Kapanen has been great this season, him being a right winger about to command a big pay day makes him more expendable than Johnsson in my opinion.

Kapanen has 15 goals and 15 assists this season playing lots with Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri. Josh Anderson has 16 goals and 8 assists playing mostly with Boone Jenner and Nick Foligno.

It is unlikely we would see much, if any, of an offensive drop off if the Leafs were to swap Kapanen and Anderson. Anderson would also instantly become the team`s hit leader, something many fans want to see more of.

This is a player who brings both offense, and physicality at a premium price of 1.85 m per season. Kapanen could cost as high as 4-5 million this coming off season. I really don’t like the idea of trading him, but sometimes tough calls have to be made because of the salary cap.  I think Kapanen for Anderson would help this team both in the short term, and in the long.

Gustav Nyquist by Josh Lawrence

Gustav Nyquist might just be the player that could truly get Nazem Kadri going again.

He is on pace for the best season of his career with 11 goals and 32 assists already. He can shoot, and he can pass. His shot metrics are terrific on top of the fact that he’s got the points to back it up.

What worries me is not only the cost to acquire him, but the cost to keep him on the roster. His salary is 5.5 million but he counts as 4.75 million against the cap.  Again, this player would likely cost at least one of Kapanen or Johnsson, and likely more.

The only way I can see this happening without giving one of them up, is by sending them Liljegren, Bracco and probably a pick or two. Giving them Kapanen or Johnsson the cost of resigning any of them is going to be similar, more so for Nyquist and Kapanen. The only likely scenario in which I see Nyquist coming back is by sending some top prospects there way, and I’m not sure if it’s quite worth it.

Nyquist would really improve the team, but the cost might be enormous.  All improvements now have to be measured against the cost for nex tyear and the Leafs defense is going to be pretty bare next season, and Liljegren may not be as expendable as some think.

Nyquist would be a great addition and I’d love to have him, but unless he can be acquired for less than I’ve suggested here, I don’t think it’s a great fit.

Radko Gudas by Michael Mazzei

The Toronto Maple Leafs made a move that I was hoping they would make by acquiring Jake Muzzin from the Los Angeles Kings.

The move is definitely a massive one in how it upgrades the defensive unit, but I think they need to make one more trade to further solidify the defence.

Radko Gudas is a player that should be a target of the Toronto Maple Leafs because he checks off a lot of boxes. While not the biggest player, he is very effective at neutralizing the opposition’s attack. He is psycial without being a Roman Polak-Type, in that he is actually capable of keeping the puck out of the net, and doesn’t just have a reputation as a good defender because he hits.

As per Natural Stat Trick, he currently has a 53.7 Corsi-for%, a 52.91 SF%, a 57.83 GF%, and a 55.83 SCF% at even strength. Additionally, he is effective in high danger areas at even strength in which he has a 61.21 HDCF% and a 68.97 HDGF%.

Combine this with his knack for the physical playstyle (155 hits) and is right-handed makes Gudas the perfect fit for the Leafs second pairing. In order for the Leafs to acquire Gudas, however, they will need to sacrifice a roster player. Given the fact that he has a year left with a $3.35 million AAV, the Flyers will likely want a player with salary and term to make it work.

While Connor Brown is viewed highly by Mike Babcock, Brown is the Leafs most replaceable forward and can make a potential deal work given he makes $2.1 million a season. A prospect in their system (ex: Andreas Borgman) and a draft pick (one of their 4th rounders in the 2019 draft) will be needed to complete this hypothetical trade.

While the price may be steep, the rewards for adding Gudas to the Leafs lineup can’t be ignored. This is the player I hope the Leafs try and trade for prior to the deadline and his presence could put the Leafs over the top.

Brett Pesce by Zoe Mason

In the light of the recent acquisition of Jake Muzzin, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ defensive corps is much improved. It remains, however, the weakest element of the Leafs lineup.

Despite a number shaky performances by Garrett Sparks, his .909 save percentage places him on par with or better to any backup goaltender prospects within the Leafs tight price range this February. Therefore, another solid, defensive-minded blueliner is Toronto’s best bet on lowering their goals against and making a run for the cup this spring.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce could be just the guy. With a current cap hit around $4 million, Pesce is within the Leafs budget, and is a solid defensive defenseman who has the ability to drive play, as seen by his current 53% CF and the fact that he’s never been a negative possession player for any of his four years in the NHL.

Pesce has defensive statistics comparable to new addition and instant fan favourite Jake Muzzin. Carolina has been struggling through a mediocre season and ranks just 24th league-wide in goals for; they could use some offensive power.

Thankfully for them, Toronto has plenty. While I wouldn’t want to give up either in an ideal world, of Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson, I’d rather keep the former. Johnsson has posted an impressive 26 points in 46 games played this season, his first in the NHL, putting him just four points behind Kasperi Kapanen on six fewer games played. Couple his impressive success and long term potential with his low cap hit and Carolina have themselves a solid trade. The Leafs bolster their defense and the Canes get some offensive firepower, sounds like a win-win to me.

Michael Ferland by James Tanner

For some reason, Michael Ferland is the raison detre of possible Toronto Maple Leafs additions this year.  The thinking is, he’s a power forward and the Leafs are missing a power forward, so they should pick him up.

Only problem is that the Carolina Hurricanes should be a playoff team on paper and they’re only three points out of the playoffs at the moment.  They also have trouble scoring, and thus probably don’t want to move a player with 14 goals.

The Hurricanes record should be way better than it is, and with 30 ish games to go, odds are good they do end up making the playoffs.  Their is no reason to think teams like Washington, Columbus or especially the New York Islanders are better than they are.

So good luck getting them to sell off one of their leading scorers.

But, if they would, the Leafs should definitely be interested. I am a fan.

Ferland is 26, he scored 21 last year and should approach 25 this year.  He is a positive possession player two years running, and he brings some grit to a lineup that could use a touch *(not at the expense of sanity, but all things being equal, why not?)

Also, and this is the big draw: he makes less than two million and so he’d fit in under the cap for the Leafs all in this year.  He’s better than every left winger they have, except Andreas Johnsson who they idiotically play on the fourth line.

Ferland is like Zach Hyman, if Zach Hyman could score goals.  He’d be a perfect grinder option for a Matthews/Nylander combo (which we’ll eventually see with regularity) or he’d be a perfect, cheaper, upgrade on Zach Hyman.

Not sure what the Leafs should spend to get him, since he’d be a UFA and almost impossible to re-sign, but I’d certainly be interested.

Artemi Panarin by James Tanner

This one is just for fun.  I don’t actually see the Toronto Maple Leafs acquiring one of the NHL’s very best players at the trade deadline.

He plays in Columbus and is the NHL’s most underrated future Hall of Famer, but Artemi Panarin is among the NHL’s best players.

And he plays left-wing, where the Leafs use Patrick Marleau, Zach Hyman, Connor Brown and Andreas Johnsson.  Clearly that is a position ripe for an upgrade.

Radically, Patrick Marleau makes more money than Artemi Panarin.  But even if he didn’t, the Leafs wouldn’t want to mortgage the future for a single run at the cup, even if this would make them massive favorites.

Panarin would be similar to acquiring John Tavares – that’s how good he is.  He does absolutely everything (except fight) has 20 goals, 60 points and is one off the pace of having a point per game for his career.

Just for fun, maybe Dubas could send Liljegren and a first to Columbus for the rental of a lifetime.  Then he gets Marleau to waive his NTC, sends him back to San Jose and the Leafs have some extra cap money to spend on Gudas.

He then signs Panarin to a massive contract extension and trades Mitch Marner for four prospects who can enter the lineup and play on the ELCs.

The Toronto Maple Leafs then go on to win seven Stanley Cups in a row.

OK maybe not………..maybe just six.

Nick Jensen  by James Tanner

I’m calling it right now: the Toronto Maple Leafs will be acquiring Nick Jensen ahead of the NHL’s Trade Deadline.

Jensen is the perfect fit: he’s cheap, he’s UFA, he’s right handed, and he’s significantly better than Ron Hainsey or Nikita Zaitsev.

Jensen doesn’t score a ton, but he brings solid defense to the game, and that is what the Leafs need.

The American defenseman is 28 years old, in his third NHL season and can be generally relied upon to keep the puck going in the right direction while chipping in 12 or so points.

He’s the least sexy pick imaginable, but the cost to acquire him would not be very high, and he provides solid, bottom-of-the-lineup depth.

Unfortunately, the Leafs had that in Connor Carrick and they chose to  use Ron Hainsey and Nikita Zaitsev ahead of him too, despite all ways we have of measuring hockey players saying that Carrick was better.

So are they really going to get a new Carrick?  They should.  It just depends on if Dubas is willing enough to take Babcock’s toys away from him.

Curtis McElhinney by Wilbert Timmermans

With all due respect for Garret Sparks, the Toronto Maple Leafs might want to try and get back Curtis McElhinney.

Sparks has shown remarkable growth in his play and has become a more mature goaltender. That being said, he’s still adjusting to the level of the NHL, being a backup goaltender behind Andersen, which takes time.  If the Leafs had an experienced back-up, just in case, it might helps some fans of the team sleep better at night.

Despite Sparks experience in the playoffs during his stint with the Toronto Marlies, that’s nowhere near comparable as the NHL playoffs. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, aiming at a deep and successful campaign in the playoffs, they could use a more proven goaltender that can fulfill the role as a backup for Andersen.

The one and only potential goaltender Dubas should pursue at the deadline? Curtis McElhinney. An actual no-brainer. He’s a fan favorite in Toronto, loved in the locker room, experienced, has a very reasonable cap hit ($850.000) and was arguably the most reliable backup goaltender in the league last season on a team that allowed more shots than most teams.

The only possible problem in chasing Curtis McElhinney; his current team, the Carolina Hurricanes, are in the midst of chasing a wild-card spot. Right now, Carolina will likely have no interest in shipping McElhinney out. Then again, a lot can happen in 2 weeks and Carolina’s fortunes might be different right before the deadline, making it interesting for Dubas to keep an eye on their situation.

Jakob Silfverberg by Wilbert Timmermans

When it comes to trades, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Anaheim Ducks have a good relationship together. Something that could prove itself very useful since the Anaheim Ducks, led by the league’s worst coach, have virtually no chance at playoff hockey this season.

The Anaheim Ducks are one of the worst teams in the league when it comes to scoring. The best possible strategy the Ducks can apply right now is to lose, lose games and hope for a fortunate draft lottery. This is where Jakob Silfverberg comes into the picture. Currently the leading goalscorer on the team with 12 goals in the season.

Silfverberg would be a great addition for the Nazem Kadri line, providing more scoring depth and most importantly playoff experience, having 69 postseason appearances under his belt. Should Marleau, Kadri, and Silfverberg play on one line, it would provide Babcock with an effective checking line that can not just disable the opponents top-line but score goals.

Jakob Silfverberg is among the best defensive forwards in the NHL, and the Toronto Maple Leafs could definitely use his services to help cut down on their high shots against totals.

Silfverberg is a pending UFA this summer, and not being a core piece of the offensive future of the Ducks, Anaheim will most likely be looking to trade him away before the trade deadline expires. The cost for landing Silfverberg will likely be somewhat expensive, as he’s among the best players likely to be available, but he would be worth the cost.

Luke Glendening by Nick Barden

The Toronto Maple Leafs shouldn’t trade for Luke Glendening.

Now, what we know is, Mike Babcock really likes Luke Glendening. But what we also know is, he costs a lot. At the end of the day, the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be in a cap crunch. He is a centre, which we could add, but why?

We have Freddy Gauthier, who is, taller, maybe stronger, and is DEFINITELY cheaper. Would you rather have a player who has 18 points in 54 games, that will have a $2 million cap hit this season and $1.8 and $1.7 million in the next two years?

Or, would you rather have someone who is 6 inches taller than Luke Glendening, has 10 points in 44 games and who will be probably making the league minimum for this year, next year and probably for a while?

To me, it doesn’t make sense. Why would you want someone who barely puts up more points and costs $1 million more?

I know $1 million isn’t a lot, but if you’re in a cap crunch like the Leafs will be, $1 million is a lot of money, which they could put forward into a better players contract (Kapanen or Johnsson).  I hope Dubas holds his ground and says it’s not worth it, but who knows what’s going on in that war room.

Josh Manson by Jaques Tannier

Josh Manson is a dream acquisition for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Anaheim Ducks are the worst team in hockey.  Josh Manson is among the best defenseman in hockey at playing actual defense. Plus, he’s mean, doesn’t cost much, and is right handed.

The 27 year old Manson had 37 points last year and is a solid defensive defenseman who can move the puck.  Think of a slightly younger Jake Muzzin.  Maybe not quite as good, because he’s got less offense, but still pretty damn good.

Manson makes a bargain $4.1 for the next three years after this one.  And, while there’s no way he should be available, he is getting to his declining years and plays for a team that looks to be in the basement for the rest of his prime.

And this is a team that, based on their continued employment of Randy Carlyle, is not well run.  It makes sense to think that the Toronto Maple Leafs could swindle the Anaheim Mighty Ducks out of a nearly elite player for a cheap cost.

He’s got more term left than Muzzin but isn’t quite as good. So why not offer two B prospects and a second? Or even next year’s first?

It’d be worth it. A top four of Rielly/Muzzin, Gardiner/Manson is untouchable.  It’s the best in the NHL by six miles.

Dubas should get it done.

Nikita Zaitsev by Wilbert Timmermans

While the most logical course of action for a contending playoff team is to acquire a piece on the trade deadline to give them that little bit extra, there are those rare exemptions that would benefit the team if they trade away a piece.

So while this is supposed to be about who the Leafs should get, I decided to write about who they should get rid of.

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, this is the case with defenseman Nikita Zaitsev. I know it sounds odd; trading away you’re second pairing right-handed defenseman on a team that isn’t exactly rich on right-handed defenseman, but hear me out.

Nikita Zaitsev is  the worst defenseman on the team for the role he has to fulfill. He is paid top dollar, plays below his pay bill, too high in the lineup, and his performance is sub-par at best.

Moving him to the third-pairing isn’t a viable solution, it would force either Hainsey to play too many minutes or force Dermott on the wrong side of the ice. And with the Toronto Maple Leafs cap situation, there isn’t enough room to acquire a solid second-pairing defenseman without losing his contract.

As a right handed defenseman who can move the puck and does have a successful rookie season under his belt, it should be possible to move Zaitsev without retaining money.

Mark Stone by Wilbert Timmermans

The second piece of the Ottawa Senators that they might look to trade away at the deadline is Mark Stone.

Originally drafted by Ottawa 178th overall in the 6th round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Mark Stone is the absolute steal of the 2010 draft considering his current offensive output. Ranking 8th in points of the 2010 draft class, while having played way fewer games than almost everyone ahead of him, in the class.

Quite simply, the Senators turned a 6th round pick into one of the best players in the entire world.  The Leafs getting stone would make their team just ridiculous.  Even though he’s a pending UFA the cost to acquire him would be enormous.

But we can dream, right?

The potential acquisition would further improve the already deadly offensive group the Toronto Maple Leafs have. For the Toronto Maple Leafs to chase and make a bid for Mark Stone there are 3 “issues” that need to be dealt with.

The first issue it would raise for Toronto is the cap-hit, being signed for $7.5 million doesn’t make Stone a cheap deadline candidate for Toronto or any other team for that matter. It would mean Kyle Dubas will have to get creative to fit Stone under the salary ceiling.

For Babcock it would mean he’d have to jiggle the lines, Mark Stone is a Right Winger, a position that is richly occupied on the Toronto Maple Leafs team. It would mean that one of the current players playing on the right wing would have to be moved to the left side.

It’s likely Ottawa is looking for a first-round pick along with some prospects for Stone, making it a steep price for acquiring him when there is no intent to extend him at the end of the season, let alone the players that would suffer from his arrival.

It’s unlikely Stone will be a Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline.

Alex Pietrangelo by Alan Downward

Alex Pietrangelo has been one of the NHL’s most coveted trade-bait defensemen this season. The St. Louis Blues are 5th in the Central Division. After a relatively eventful summer, General Manager Doug Armstrong and his crew have been sent reeling by an unexplained dry spell.

On paper, the Blues have put together  a would be contender but they started badly and were left for dead months ago.  They’ve recently been able to climb back into the race, but if their recent hot steak doesn’t last, they may want to unload at the deadline.

Unfortunately, unsatisfactory results will put big names on the block. Alex Pietrangelo fits the bill.  At 29-years old, Pietrangelo has played in 658 NHL contests. He has 85 goals and 292 assists to his name. The Blues captain has built a life for himself in St. Louis his entire career.

He was drafted by St. Louis fourth overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.  On September 14, 2013, Alex Pietrangelo inked a 7-year contract worth $45.5 million. The contract carried an average annual value (AAV) of $6.5 million.

Despite Pietrangelo being sidelined with a hand injury earlier this season, his potential return value has serious potential for Doug Armstrong and the Blues. He still has one year left on his 7-year deal, which only adds to his value as a trade target.

While the Toronto Maple Leafs were expected to be one of Alex Pietrangelo’s suitors, his $6.5 million cap will be difficult to absorb. Any trade offer involving Pietrangelo heading to Toronto would surely require the St. Louis Blues to retain a portion of his salary.

The St. Louis Blues would likely be interested in acquiring a young, mid-tier roster player and a small assortment of picks/prospects from any team who wishes to deal for Pietrangelo.

With the recent addition of Jake Muzzin, however, it is unlikely the Toronto Maple Leafs will pursue him.

Wayne Simmonds by Jarrett Noakes

Wayne Simmonds Wayne Simmonds has historically been a consistent 25+ goal, 50+ point player who embraces the physical aspect of the game.

He is also a strong net-front presence and has scored at least 10 powerplay goals in each of the past five seasons.

In the final year of his contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, the team looks poised to sell and rumours have swirled around Simmonds’ availability for months. Simmonds is a player that would bring energy and physicality to a Leafs team that is in need of some edge.

While the acquisition of Jake Muzzin was a start, adding Simmonds would solidify them as a team committed to making a deep playoff run. Simmonds could also be bought at a reduced value based on his production this season. With 15 goals and 23 points in 51 games, Simmonds’ diminished offensive numbers are likely due in large part to Philadelphia’s struggles as a team, as well as normal age related decline.

On an offensively skilled Leafs squad, Simmonds would likely see his rate of production rise and he could be the spark that their sluggish powerplay needs.

Simmonds represents a low-cost option that could significantly bolster the Leafs playoff lineup without breaking the bank. The following offer would likely be enough to put Simmonds in a Leafs jersey: Leafs trade: 2019 second round pick and Dmytro Timashov Philadelphia trade: Wayne Simmonds

stats from this article from hockeydb.com, naturalstattrick.com and salary cap info from capfriendly.com