Toronto Maple Leafs: Who Is Available, Who Is Untouchable

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.