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4 Potential Forwards Toronto Maple Leafs Could Trade For Next Week

By Stephen Nixon

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: Taylor Hall #4 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his goal at 3:08 of the second period against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on March 04, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: Taylor Hall #4 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his goal at 3:08 of the second period against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on March 04, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
BUFFALO, NY – JANUARY 14: Eric Staal #12 of the Buffalo Sabres   (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Eric Staal

If the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Staal, they’d have the greatest team ever assembled in NHL 10.

The 36-year-old isn’t going to put up another 100 point season anytime soon, but he could be another Jason Spezza or Joe Thornton. As shown by both of those players this year, there seems be a fountain of youth in the Leafs dressing room.

The former No. 2 overall selection in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft won the Stanley Cup in his second NHL season, but hasn’t got close to the promised land ever since. In fact, Staal hasn’t advanced past the First Round of the playoffs since the 2008-09 campaign.

Based off his current situation with the Buffalo Sabres, Staal isn’t breaking that routine anytime soon.

Staal’s $3.25M cap-hit definitely hurts his trade situation, but the Toronto Maple Leafs could be able to make it work, regardless. Unsure of what a trade package would look like, the team may be intrigued with acquiring Staal based on the success they’ve had with other veterans.

Although he’s had a tough start with the Sabres, you could say the same thing for almost every player on that roster this year. By all accounts, Staal is still a 20 goal scorer and someone who can play in the top-six. Also, it was only three years ago that he scored 42 goals, so there’s clearly some gas left in the tank.

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