With limited salary cap space and only three draft picks in the 2022 NHL draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs might stick with bargain shopping at the trade deadline.
When you are the general manager of a team with a record of 30-10-3, there is not much need for adding. Kyle Dubas will probably make a trade or two if he thinks the players he is adding will help the Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs.
Just don’t expect those players to be big-name players. The likely course of action for Dubas at this season’s trade deadline will be to add depth. Adding depth to Toronto’s blue line will be priority number one leading up to the March 21st deadline.
Dubas and his staff will be looking for players who will help the Maple Leafs be a better defensive team. They will also be looking for players who meet that category but don’t cost much. With only three draft picks in the 2022 NHL draft and limited salary cap space, Dubas will need to get creative.
There are some decent-depth defensemen the Toronto Maple Leafs could target at the deadline. Some are rentals, while others have term left on their contracts. Dubas has stated that he would like to see this team perform with a fully healthy lineup before he makes any moves. If he is going to add the right piece to this group, he might need to do so sooner rather than later.