Toronto Maple Leafs: Big Game Hunting at Trade Deadline With Liljegren as Bait

The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for a defenseman.

That, at least is what every rumour about the Toronto Maple Leafs tells us.

And it makes sense: Their forwards are a lot better than their defense.

The only problem is that a healthy Leafs blue line doesn’t feature an obvious player in need of upgrading.

Sure, people are giving Tyson Barrie the Jake Gardiner treatment, but they’re ignoring that he’s one of the highest scoring defensemen in the NHL since Sheldon Keefe unleashed him.

He also has a 60% goals-for rating while partnered with Morgan Rielly.

If the Leafs are going to upgrade in this position, they can’t just get some random second-liner.  They’ve got to pick up an elite player to make it worthwhile.

Toronto Maple Leafs Big Game Hunting

If they are going to add a defenseman, it has to be an elite player.

Here’s why:

Muzzin and Holl have been an amazing shut-down pair.  The Leafs have extended both of them, and they aren’t breaking this up for any reason.

Sandin is a future star, he’s not going anywhere – the Leafs will trade Nick Robertson or Timothy Liljegren first.

Morgan Rielly is a top five NHL defenseman, he is the soul of this team and is untouchable.

Travis Dermott has put up elite numbers during his NHL career and since he doesn’t score much he won’t be expensive to re-sign.  There is no reason to think the Toronto Maple Leafs would give up on him.

So that means either the blue-line stays the same or they add someone who is a significant upgrade over Tyson Barrie.

None of the names being mentioned make sense in this context.

The Leafs have two options: a) Keep Barrie and let him walk, then replace him with Liljegren next season.

b) Trade for a player with term who is a significant upgrade.  Since next year’s blue line already features five players (Rielly, Muzzin, Holl, Sandin, Dermott) then trading for a player with term means Liljegren doesn’t have spot.

Ergo, he’s their best trade chip.

Dougie Hamilton is the ideal add, but his team is a contender and he’s injured.

The guy to go for is Aaron Ekblad, but the Panthers are competing for the very playoff spot the Leafs are assuming is theirs, so that’s probably unlikely.  Still, at least try and see what he costs.

Their best and most realistic option is Ryan Ellis. He’s elite among the NHL’s elite.  He’s back soon from his injury, and the Predators are looking like they’ll miss the playoffs.

If the Leafs aren’t set on getting a righty, Mattias Ekholm or Hampus Lindholm would be very good options.

The point is, a superstar is what they need, otherwise just stick with Barrie. In no particular order, they should be looking at Pietrangelo, Ellis, Ekblad, Hamilton, Lindholm or Ekholm.

And, if the blockbuster doesn’t pan out, I would just expect the Leafs to acquire either Jared Spurgeon or Tony Deangelo and call it a day.