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Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Alex Kerfoot Trade Scenarios

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Alexander Kerfoot #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs defends against the Montreal Canadiens during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Map[le Leafs 3-1 to win series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Alexander Kerfoot #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs defends against the Montreal Canadiens during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Map[le Leafs 3-1 to win series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 17: Alex Kerfoot #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

No. 2: The Kapanen/Johnsson Approach

The Trade:

  • Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: 2022 2nd Round Pick
  • New Jersey Devils acquire: Alex Kerfoot

The New Jersey Devils have salary cap space to acquire a player without giving one up, so this could help solve a problem for both clubs.

The Devils have a few good pieces but are probably another 1-2 years from making the playoffs. Signing Dougie Hamilton was a big move for the club, but it’s not going to be the difference-maker from being a rebuilder to contender.

As a result, they could be intrigued at Kerfoot and what he brings to their team. New Jersey’s depth at centre is pretty weak, so Kerfoot would probably be a second-line centre on their squad and could really help their roster.

Not only would this help New Jersey, but it would help free space for the Leafs. If David Kampf and/or Pierre Engvall can play third and fourth-line centre and Michael Bunting and Nick Ritchie fit on the top-six wing, there’s no room for Kerfoot anywhere.

Instead of just keeping him as your third-line centre, it makes way more sense to trade him and get $3.5M in cap-space back to acquire someone who will help their roster much more.

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