Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Urgent Questions Ahead of Regular Season

No. 3: Is Anyone Getting Traded Soon?

Ilya Mikheyev asked for a trade, but the Leafs denied his request. At $1.65M, the team values his contract and abilities as a bottom-six forward too much, although I think they should have granted him his wish.

Although Mikheyev seemed like a likely trade-asset this year, that doesn’t seems like it’s going to happen, but is anyone going to get traded instead?

Alex Kerfoot, Pierre Engvall and Travis Dermott are three players who could be on the move this year, as they all could be on the outside looking in. If David Kampf can show stability as the third-line centre, and Nick Ritchie/Michael Bunting solidify themselves in the top-six left-wing position, then Kerfoot is expendable.

He could spend time on the wing, but at $3.5M, the team could be better off trading him at the deadline for a big-time rental.

Engvall and Dermott are two other assets making over $1M that could be on their way out. Dermott’s $1.5M is a great contract, but Toronto’s defensive group is getting crowded, especially if Timothy Liljegren or Brennan Menell make a push for the sixth defensive spot.

The bottom-six is also getting busy, so Engvall could be a moveable asset, although I don’t think they should trade him.

Either way, there are a number of burning questions ahead of this team as the regular season gets started in less than a month.