Toronto Maple Leafs: Who Is Available, Who Is Untouchable
With the trade market heating up, we need to see which Toronto Maple Leafs can be heading out the door
The NHL trade deadline is on April 12th this year. The Toronto Maple Leafs are at the top of the standings, which means they will be buyers in the trade market.
Trade speculations are heating up more and more as every day passes. A lot of focus is on who the Leafs should acquire, but not enough on who could be heading out the door. Here I will categorize each player on the Leafs from ‘untouchables’ to ‘on the trade block.’
Page 1. ‘Untouchables’ Page 2. ‘Borderline Untouchable’ Page 3. ‘UFAs to Hold’ Page 4. ‘Up in the Air’ Page 5. ‘System Players’ Page 6. ‘Names on the Trade Block’
Untouchables
- C. Auston Matthews
- RW. Mitch Marner
- C. John Tavares
- LW/RW. William Nylander
- LD. Morgan Rielly
The Toronto Maple Leafs struck gold when they won the lottery to select Auston Matthews with the first pick of the 2016 NHL Draft. Since then, he emerged as arguably the second-best player in the league and arguably the best goal-scorer.
The year prior, Toronto drafted Mitch Marner with the fourth overall pick. He doesn’t get as much praise as Matthews, but the 23-year-old is not far behind in production. He also adds elite defensive instincts and creativity.
The hometown kid, John Tavares, was a jaw-dropping acquisition for Toronto during the 2018 free agent frenzy. He brings leadership, a veteran presence, and elite goal-scoring to an already potent offense. While the length of his contract may concern some, his impact is undeniable.
There is not a more underappreciated player in Toronto than William Nylander. His contract was questioned by some at first but quickly turned to a steal, as he regularly posts advanced analytics that place him among the game’s elite, while he has also scored the 11th most goals in the NHL since the start of last season.
The 2012 NHL Draft lacked elite players, but Morgan Rielly was one of the few. He was rushed into the NHL as an 18-year-old and has become an elite offensive-leaning two-way defenseman. Let’s not forget the cheap contract he has been signed to, helping the Toronto Maple Leafs build around him.
Borderline Untouchable
Not every player on the Leafs is untouchable. Some players are not in that category but are difficult to pry away from Toronto.
These players all have a noticeable impact on the team. While they are not in the elite status, they are the type of players that will help push for a Stanley Cup.
- LD. Jake Muzzin
- RD. T.J. Brodie
- RD. Justin Holl
- G. Jack Campbell
Think of a defenseman with size, more than responsible defensively, and can move the puck well. One player that should come to mind is Jake Muzzin. While his ceiling isn’t as high as his old teammate Drew Doughty, you can tell Muzzin learned a lot while sharing the ice with him.
Trying to bolster the team’s need at defense, GM Kyle Dubas added a reputable top-four defenseman in T.J. Brodie. In only 28 games, the signing proved to be a work of art. He is the player Toronto has long been looking for to compliment Rielly.
The development of Justin Holl from his time with the Toronto Marlies to today has been a pleasant sight. His pairing with Muzzin makes one of the best shutdown defensive pairings in the league. He may not be an offensive juggernaut, but his $2 million cap hit and defensive prowess are much needed.
Valuing a backup goaltender as much as a top-four defenseman may seem like a headscratcher, but Jack Campbell could become more than that. He is signed through next season and could become the starter. Until the goaltending situation is solved, Campbell is crucial to the team.
While Campbell is the most likely to be traded among the four players, it probably won’t happen. With more games under his belt this season and continued solid play, he can be the number one goaltender next season.
UFAs to Hold
While the core of the Toronto Maple Leafs is locked up, there are some players on their roster that will need a new contract this offseason. Among them are players the team would like to keep as the season goes on and for the playoffs.
What will happen this offseason surrounding these players is up in the air and a conversation for a later date. What we know today is that these players should remain in Toronto this season.
- LW/RW. Zach Hyman
- C/LW. Joe Thornton
- LW/RW. Wayne Simmonds
- C/RW. Jason Spezza
- C. Travis Boyd
- RD. Zach Bogosian
The Leafs are privileged to have winger Zach Hyman on their roster. Questions surrounding his long-term commitment to the team, and vice versa, will come up since his contract expires this offseason. His toughness, determination, and versatility are hard to find in today’s NHL.
The longtime San Jose Shark, Joe Thornton, decided to play in his hometown to try and help the young guys bring home a Stanley Cup. No one thought his impact on the team would be as much as it has been. The 41-year-old has 11 points in 16 games and won the hearts of Toronto’s youngsters.
The same goes for winger Wayne Simmonds. While he has been out with an injury, his time on the ice proved a one-year $1.5 million contract was worth the shot. He only has five points in 12 games, but his physicality and nastiness have been missing from the Leafs for years.
Jason Spezza’s career looked like it was coming to an end in Dallas. In signing with the Leafs, he dipped into the fountain of youth and put up 16 points in 27 games this season while winning 59 percent of his faceoffs. Not bad for someone making the league minimum.
Expected to fill in for the fourth line, Travis Boyd managed to cement his name. The forward has eight points in 18 games and has played some minutes on the second power play. His lack of trade value and value to the team makes him a player to hold.
The Toronto Maple Leafs needed size, and Dubas added that by signing Zach Bogosian. He may not be flashy, and he may not put up many points, but he is the size on the back end the team has needed. His presence will be very appreciated heading into the playoffs.
Up in the Air
With the Leafs looking to make a trade, it will likely be to improve. With that, a roster player could be part of the package sent out.
These players are not on the trade block but could be on their way out if a team asks for them. Who or how many players traded away depends on what is heading to the 6ix.
- C/LW. Pierre Engvall
- LW/RW. Ilya Mikheyev
- LW/RW Jimmy Vesey
- RD. Timothy Liljegren
- G. Michael Hutchinson
Another name that worked their way up the ranks through the Toronto Marlies is Pierre Engvall. He is a big-body center that plays well as a net presence and a forechecker. A team looking for a high-motor forward may want to take a look at the 24-year-old.
Ilya Mikheyev is a similar player to Hyman. I often refer to him as a cheaper Hyman but also a step down from him. I would hate to see Mikhayev in another jersey, but you can only keep so much in a trade to improve.
Adding Jimmy Vesey was a low-risk, high-reward move by Dubas, but it hasn’t worked out as much as the team would have liked. He has only seven points in 28 games and switches in and out of the Leafs’ starting lineup. A GM hoping to give Vesey the spark he needs could call for him.
Toronto may give up one or more of their young guys to get the player they want. One name that can come up is defenseman Timothy Liljegren. The 21-year-old Swede had only one point in 11 NHL games but just racked up 30 points in 40 games with the Marlies last season.
Goaltender Michael Hutchinson has been a blessing for the Leafs this season. In five games, he owns a save percentage of .934. He is the third goaltender on the depth chart and could either be moved or promoted to the backup position next season.
Staying in the System
Dubas has been with the Leafs since 2014. Since then, he has had a notable role in drafting and developing players in the organization. With that, the team has many players outside their NHL roster that can be bait.
On the flip side, Dubas will not compromise the long-term success of the team. That means some players will be kept around as developmental pieces. Not everyone is safe, but there won’t be a big scoop of the prospect pool.
- LD. Rasmus Sandin
- LW/C/RW. Alex Galchenyuk
Someone Dubas will want to keep around is Toronto’s 2018 first-round pick, Rasmus Sandin. He played well in his 28-game stint in the NHL last season and now resides on IR with an injury. Considering his dominance in the AHL and success in the NHL, Dubas must hold onto him.
While he is well past his years of being called a prospect, Alex Galchenyuk is an intriguing player in the Maple Leafs’ system. Dubas traded two players not expected to contribute in the big leagues for the once-promising player.
He was once a 30-goal scorer but struggled the past couple of seasons. The Leafs is his fourth organization since 2019. Since then, he has 25 points in 67 NHL games. Dubas is hoping to bring Galchenyuk back to his former goal-scoring self.
Tradable Assets
Keeping all of the Leafs’ top prospects would be great, but it is unrealistic. Sandin is off-limits, but that means someone else must be up for the taking.
- LW. Nicholas Robertson
- LW/RW. Rodion Amirov
- C/RW. Mikhail Abramov
Winger Nicholas Robertson has been a blessing for the Leafs’ organization. He has nine points in 10 games with the Marlies after racking up 86 points in 46 games with the Peterborough Petes last season. He is a small and skilled forward that plays bigger than his frame.
Dubas drafted Rodion Amirov in the first round this past draft. The skinny Russian turned heads at the World Junior Championship and is playing well in the KHL. His hockey IQ separates him from others and is what made him the 15th overall pick in 2020.
A mid-round pick that the Leafs nailed was using a fourth-round draft pick on Mikhail Abramov. He has torn up the QMJHL with the Victoriaville Tigres, notching 97 points in 82 games the past two seasons. The hardworking playmaker has taken strides every season.
All three players are small and skilled forwards, which the Leafs already possess in the NHL. The type of players listed is a surplus for the team. While keeping them would be beneficial down the road, trading one away would not be surprising considering the surplus players and their trade value.
Toronto Maple Leafs Names on the Trade Block
The Toronto Maple Leafs have some names with uncertain futures with the team. That may be due to an expiring contract, displeasure with their performance, or to fetch an upgrade.
Along with some players are assets that will help rebuilding teams. In an attempt to help Toronto this season, giving up a part of the organization’s deep pool of prospects or draft picks is likely.
- G. Frederick Anderson
- C/LW. Alexander Kerfoot
- LD. Travis Dermott
- Draft picks
- Other prospects
Goaltender Frederick Anderson’s contract expires this offseason. His declining play over the years spurred speculations surrounding the team moving on from him. Toronto could move forward with Campbell and Hutchinson or swap goaltenders with another franchise.
Included in the deal trading away Nazem Kadri, Alex Kerfoot has been an up and down player in Toronto. He adds a defensive presence to Toronto, but his inability to capitalize offensively may see him traded from the Leafs. He would be a player sought after by other teams.
Pending restricted free-agent Travis Dermott has been an active name in the trade market. He has shown flashes of excellence but has been inconsistent. Dubas may be unwilling to pay what Dermott wants. Replacing him could be Rasmus Sandin or an upgrade.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs in win-now mode, draft picks and prospects are on the table. Kyle Dubas’ track record with drafting means the team can recoup their loss without much of an issue.
There are countless fans and analysts out there saying Kyle Dubas should go all-out in an attempt to win the Stanley Cup this season. One of those people is Joeseph Zita of Editor in Leaf.
“If there was a year where this team should go all-in it’s this year for them to do that.”
He goes on to list different players the Leafs should try to acquire. He makes good points, such as the need to solidify the bottom-six forwards and grabbing a left-winger to play on either of the top two lines.
All NHL stats courtesy of NHL.com . All AHL, KHL & CHL stats courtesy of Elite Prospects
Don’t get me wrong; I think the Leafs should try and win the Cup this season. I’ve mentioned before that Dubas should be careful not to get too carried away, though.
Next. 3 Realistic Trade Packages the Leafs Could Put Together. dark
I stand by my statement. A move should not be made unless it is a clear upgrade. With that in mind, now you have an idea of what will be on the table.