Top 4 Pending UFAs Toronto Maple Leafs Should Trade For

No. 4: Kyle Palmieri ($4.65M)

Palmieri almost seems too good to be true. In fact, it feels like the New York Islanders are going to do everything in their power to acquire him, after Anders Lee went down recently.

However, if they can’t make that happen, the Leafs should be convincing New Jersey to trade Palmieri to Toronto.

With five straight seasons of 20 or more goals, he’d be a perfect fit on the second line. The one issue is that he’s a right winger and right-handed shot and Toronto needs left wingers. However, crisis averted, because William Nylander has been known to play the left-side before and would be fine in that position if called upon.

Palmieri has only played in the playoffs once in the past five seasons, so a trip back to the postseason could be a motivating factor for him. Although he only has eight goals in 38 career playoff games, most of his games played took place very early into his career, when he wasn’t an established 25-30 goal scorer, yet.

Toronto needs one more depth addition in their top-six and another power-play threat. Palmieri not only fits that mold, but he also has grit that Toronto is missing.

The Leafs are tough to play against because their offense is deadly, but they’re not exactly tough to play against, physically. Although he’s only 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, Palmieri plays bigger than his size would indicate and can be a physical force that’s needed.