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Toronto Maple Leafs Not Done: Possible Trade Deadline Targets

By James Tanner

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 5: Jake Muzzin #6 of the Los Angeles Kings takes a slapshot during the third period of the game against the Edmonton Oilers at STAPLES Center on January 5, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 5: Jake Muzzin #6 of the Los Angeles Kings takes a slapshot during the third period of the game against the Edmonton Oilers at STAPLES Center on January 5, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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WINNIPEG, MB – JANUARY 31: Josh Anderson #77 of the Columbus Blue Jackets takes part in the pre-game warm up prior to NHL action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on January 31, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB – JANUARY 31: Josh Anderson #77 of the Columbus Blue Jackets takes part in the pre-game warm up prior to NHL action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on January 31, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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.

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