Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Trade Options for the Trade Deadline
The NHL Trade Deadline is quickly approaching and the Toronto Maple Leafs have a short window of opportunity to improve this team.
GM Kyle Dubas has been making trades in the last couple of days, but there are still a few holes on the Toronto Maple Leafs left to fill as Monday’s trade deadline approaches.
For one, the Leafs really need to add to their blue line, especially with Morgan Rielly injured for the rest of the season. A top four defenceman is probably the most important thing on the Leafs shopping list right now, especially after the Leafs fixed their backup goaltending situation by acquiring Jack Campbell.
If a top four defenceman isn’t available, I’d like to see the Leafs pick up any right-handed defenceman who can be both a depth piece and an upgrade over Cody Ceci.
Toronto Maple Leafs at the Trade Deadline
Secondary to a defenceman is a versatile winger. With the recent injury to Andreas Johnsson for the rest of the season, the Leafs left wing depth is looking thin.
Currently, the Leafs have a decent amount of cap space available because of LTIR relief, which would allow them to pick up a player or two as long as players on the LTIR are out until the playoffs, when there is no salary cap. The Leafs could really use this to their advantage to fill their holes.
Without a corresponding move, the #Leafs recalls of Marchment & Korshkov would put them over the 23 player limit
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) February 16, 2020
It is therefore our assumption that they have also placed Johnsson on LTIR, giving the club a grand total of $24M in LTIR relief, of which they have $8.8M remaining https://t.co/oTVyEwhOJl
With all that said, here are a few names I think the Leafs should look into heading into Monday’s deadline.
Josh Manson
First on this list is Anaheim Ducks defenceman Josh Manson. Manson would be the perfect addition to the Leafs top four and I know Leafs fans would love to have him.
Manson’s name has come up for years in connection to the Leafs. His style of play is exactly what the Leafs have needed for years–strong defensive prowess and good with the puck.
Several teams have expressed interest in Anaheim's Josh Manson this season (and recently), including the Leafs and Jets, but while the Ducks are listening, they've told teams to blow them out of the water with a great offer or forget about him.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 21, 2020
To top things off, Manson has a very favourable contract. Similar to the Jake Muzzin trade last season, acquiring a player with term is the way to go, especially with a blue line full of impending free agents.
Manson is currently signed to a contract with an AAV of $4.1 million through the 2021-22 season.
Sami Vatanen
The Toronto Maple Leafs second best choice for a defenceman is New Jersey Devils defenceman Sami Vatanen.
It seems that the Devils are embracing an entire rebuild and selling off their team. With the recent trades of Blake Coleman, Andy Greene and presumably a future trade of Kyle Palmieri, the Toronto Maple Leafs can possibly strike up a reasonably priced deal with the Devils, who are likely eager to get rid of expiring contracts.
Vatanen’s another player the Leafs have been linked to since his days in Anaheim. He’s 28 and can hold down a blue line effectively on the defensive end, which would help out the Leafs a great deal considering the current state of the blue line.
He’s a strong passer, can play big minutes and can generate shots on net.
Damon Severson
Another Devil caught in the line of selling during their rebuild is Damon Severson. Severson is just 25 years old, which may be a better option for the Leafs if they want a player with term.
Severson had 39 points in 82 games last season, which included 11 goals. He has a strong shot and can easily play top-four minutes.
Although he wouldn’t necessarily be my first choice for a trade, I could see why the Leafs may benefit in acquiring him. His play has been somewhat inconsistent at times, especially on the defensive end.
Let’s not forget the time he scored a goal for the Leafs…on his own net.
But he’s young and has plenty of room to grow. He can be a top four defenceman that is definitely an upgrade for the Toronto Maple Leafs current lineup.
P.K. Subban
Here is a wild card trade that could possibly work only in some circumstances.
That circumstance is only if the Devils retain half of P.K. Subban’s salary. Subban is signed for $9 million through the 2021-22 season, which would make his cap hit for the Toronto Maple Leafs $4.5 million.
If the Leafs exercise the cap space they acquired from LTIR relief effectively, they could go big with a trade for someone like Subban.
Now I know what you’re thinking, Subban is only a shell of the kind of player he used to be in Montreal and even in Nashville. He has definitely regressed as expected with age, but he is still more than effective.
He may not be a superstar defenceman anymore, but he still is an effective top four defenceman. And at $4.5 million dollars, I would take him off the Devils hands for the Leafs top four.
For comparison, the Leafs are currently paying Cody Ceci $4.5 million. Ceci is bound to be let go once free agency hits, so Subban’s extra year on his contract would be useful, assuming he can still be an effective top four defenceman next season. This trade is definitely one to consider if circumstances are met.
Chris Kreider
Finally, we have Chris Kreider. I was really holding out for the Leafs to trade for Blake Coleman, another New Jersey Devil, but unfortunately he was dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday. He would have been a cheap defensive specialist who could have boosted Toronto’s penalty kill.
At a cap hit of $4.625 million, Kreider is a much more expensive option for a hard-hitting, gritty offensive forward who can boost a top six. Despite the price tag, the Rangers are keen on selling him at the deadline, since his contract expires at the end of this season.
I wasn’t originally high on Kreider and I wouldn’t have really wanted the Leafs to acquire him. Although his style of play is exactly what the Leafs need, his contract was just too expensive.
But given the injury to Johnsson and the LTIR relief the Leafs ultimately received, it’s looking like a more intriguing trade idea.
Next. Leafs Need to Go Big or Not Bother. dark
Those are five players who I think the Toronto Maple Leafs should take a look at in the next few days. Whether or not Toronto tries to acquire them is ultimately up to Kyle Dubas. But if one thing’s for sure, this trade deadline will be an interesting one.