Mark van der Lugt
Kyle Dubas got a head start on the trade deadline, as he just struck a deal for LA Kings players; Kyle Clifford (50% retained) and Jack Campbell. This deal addresses two needs Toronto had, needing an upgrade on back up and needed more sandpaper.
As far as who they should target next, it should be a defenseman and another gritty forward. Barrie and Holl are fine, BUT Ceci just isn’t cutting it.
I also love what Liljegren can do, but I don’t want him being rushed to the NHL. I simply think that if Dubas gets another RHD, Toronto will be a much more balanced and complete team.
My personal pick is David Savard or Josh Manson- both are defensive stalwarts on their respective teams and their contracts aren’t too expensive either, with both of them being in the mid 4million cap hit range and have term for next year as well- something Dubas has made clear that he wants from any sort of defenseman he acquires. Both these defensemen have good underlying numbers too, considering their roles and the opponents that they face every night.
My next pick for a trade target would have to be Josh Anderson (6’4, 220, RW); he is a bad man, he’s fearless, he can fight, hit, and score. Anderson is also capable of playing anywhere in the lineup too- he’s essentially Hyman on the right-wing.
He’s a UFA this summer, with a 1.8million cap hit and is having a really down year with CBJ. He’s young enough that I’m confident that he can rebound with a new team this year. The cherry on top of all of this- Anderson grew up in the GTA, as a Leaf fan.