#17. Toronto trades Andreas Borgman to St. Louis Blues for Jordan Schmaltz (July 25, 2019)
Thoughts: After playing 48 games in 2017-2018 with Toronto, it felt that Borgman could be a staple on the Leafs defense for years.
Dubas didn’t feel the same way and took a chance on the former 1st round draft pick Jordan Schmaltz. The experiment with Schmaltz didn’t work out and he was traded six months later, so another tough trade for Leafs management.
Grade: D
#18. Toronto trades Trevor Moore, 2020 3rd round pick, 2021 conditional 3rd round pick to Los Angeles Kings for Kyle Clifford and Jack Campbell (February 5, 2020)
Thoughts: After a terrible start to Michael Hutchinson’s season it was clear the Leafs needed a back-up goaltender. In addition, toughness was another aspect the team needed to address and that’s exactly what they did with this trade. Right up there with the Jake Muzzin deal, this was an incredible trade made by the Leafs at a critical time in the season.
Grade: A+
#19. Toronto trades Aaron Luchuk, 2021 conditional 6th round pick to Ottawa Senators for Max Veronneau (February 19, 2020)
Thoughts: Both players went undrafted and were solid players before making their professional debuts. Luchuk has a little bit more potential because he’s two years younger, but this is the definition of a minor league deal.
Grade: C
#20. Toronto trades Mason Marchment to Florida Panthers for Denis Malgin (February 19, 2020)
Thoughts: The analytics numbers are very good on Denis Malgin, despite being pointless in his first eight games with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Malgin is younger than Marchment and is a better player, but it felt like there was more potential with Marchment.
The 6’4, 220 pound winger showed huge improvements in his skating over the years and was monumental in the Marlies Calder Cup win. Personally I think keeping him in the system would have been better long-term, but we’ll just have to wait and see how this turns out.
Grade: C+