Tyson Barrie
One of the most ridiculous takes on the internet is the idea that Tyson Barrie is not a useful player for the Toronto Maple Leafs and he should be used to lure a big player in a trade. When Keefe replaced Mike Babcock, it helped Barrie return to become the player he was with the Colorado Avalanche.
With a new coach and all the injuries, Barrie has been trusted to play on the Leafs top pairing and has gotten substantial powerplay time. It also appears as though his confidence has returned with his improved play.
With that in mind, it isn’t unreasonable to believe that Dubas might trade Barrie. With the Leafs fighting to stay below the salary cap, chances are that they won’t be able to afford to keep Barrie beyond this season. This just begs the question, should Barrie be considered a rental and finish the season in Toronto?
The answer is “yes”. Barrie is precisely the sort of player that they might otherwise have been looking to acquire before the deadline.
Even though it’s expiring, he has just a $2.75 million cap hit, which helps him fit with the Leafs. As such, he should be appreciated while he’s with the team and be used appropriately to prop up the franchise in the playoffs.
Chances of being dealt prior to the trade deadline: 1%
William Nylander
If the concept of moving Barrie was poor, it’s even more ridiculous to consider trading William Nylander. Nylander has had a bounce-back season and has proven that he is well worth the money he’s making.
Nylander can play on either of the top two lines and elevate the play of his linemates while there. Dubas shouldn’t look to trade him and likely won’t. The GM promised Nylander that so long as he remains at the helm, the Swede will not be moved.
Chances of being dealt prior to the trade deadline: 3%
Zach Hyman
Zach Hyman was badly missed while out of the lineup with a torn ACL. In that time there was great speculation as to how the team would adjust to his return. It turned out that his presence had enormous value.
Recently, Hyman has put himself on pace for a career year.
His best goal total came last season when he put in 21. This year he has scored 14 goals in nearly half the number of games. It appears as though Hyman has come into his own while putting high energy into his play at both ends of the rink.
The Toronto Maple Leafs should hang onto Hyman who they have signed for one more season after this one at the affordable cap hit of $2.25 million. Hyman’s contract is also the reason why the Leafs would have a very difficult time trading him. He has a modified no-trade clause written in.
In order to move Hyman, the team would need to ask him to submit a list of ten teams to which he cannot be moved. Without the whispers of this having already taken place, there’s a good chance that Toronto isn’t shopping Hyman at this time.
Chances of being dealt prior to the trade deadline: 5%
With the odds now laid out for each of the Maple Leafs to be traded, there is also the chance that members of the Toronto Marlies get dealt. Leading that list is likely Jeremy Bracco. Though we won’t know for sure who’s been moved until the dust settles later this month.