Toronto Maple Leafs: Who Is Available, Who Is Untouchable

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.