Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Rumors Beginning to Heat Up

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As the March 21st NHL trade deadline gets closer, the trade rumors surrounding teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs begin to heat up. This past week there seemed to be a new rumor every day.

Some rumors have credibility behind them, while others are just mere speculation. For instance, a team might start sending more than one scout to watch a few games in a row of one particular team. Although a team might be interested in a player doesn’t mean a trade will happen.

When two teams scout each other’s games regularly, speculation will grow that the two teams involved are getting closer to a deal. It could be accurate, but it still doesn’t mean a deal will happen. If a trade doesn’t happen by the trade deadline, the two teams might revisit the trade deal in the off-season.

It is no secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs could use some depth at both the defense and forward positions. With just over two weeks until the trade deadline, it will be interesting to see what Toronto GM Kyle Dubas can do between now and then.

One thing that helps is having Jake Muzzin on LTIR. It gives Dubas more salary cap space than he thought he would have. Hopefully, he will use it wisely and find the right upgrade(s) for this Maple Leafs team. A player or two that addresses the team’s needs. Dubas needs to get a player that can help them find playoff success. He can not afford to have this team not make it to the second round.

According to multiple sources, the Maple Leafs have been in contact with the Vancouver Canucks. A few names from the Canucks roster have been mentioned as possible trade targets for Toronto.

Toronto Maple Leafs Showing Interest in These Vancouver Players

Conor Garland – RW/LW

Dennis Bernstein from theforthperiod.com has reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the teams showing interest in Vancouver forward Conor Garland. Toronto GM Kyle Dubas has said that he would prefer to add players with term. Garland has four more years on his contract with a $4.95 million AAV.

Garland is a mid-six type player who can move between the second and third lines. Dubas might see him as a long-term replacement for Ilya Mikheyev. Mikheyev is not expected to re-sign with Toronto this summer. So far this season, Garland has 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points in 51 games.

J.T. Miller – LW/C

TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun mentioned on Insider Trading that Toronto Maple Leafs assistant GM Laurence Gilman has scouted the last two Vancouver Canucks games. LeBrun confirms that Gilman was scouting J.T. Miller among a few other players. He also mentions that there doesn’t appear to be anything too serious at the moment. Teams will need to step up on their offers if they want Miller.

Miller has one more season left on his contract after this season. His salary-cap hit of $5.25 million is slightly higher than Garland’s. Toronto can fit him under their salary cap depending on which player(s) they send to Vancouver in the trade.

So far this season, Miller has 21 goals and 40 assists for 61 points in 54 games. For a high-caliber player like Miller, Dubas will need to pay a hefty price, but this is a player and situation that actually does make sense.

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Could the Maple Leafs become trade partners with the NHL’s newest franchise? It sounds like that could be a possibility.

Mark Giordano – D

Emily Kaplan from ESPN.com has reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the teams interested in Mark Giordano. It sounds like Giordano met with Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis about a month ago. The two discussed what the best course of action would be for both Giordano and the team. It would not surprise anyone to know that Giordano would love the opportunity to chase a Stanley Cup this spring.

Although the Toronto Maple Leafs do have some flexibility with their salary cap, it is hard to believe that they would trade for Giordano with his entire $6.75 million cap hit in place. Seattle could retain 50% of Giordano’s cap, making it easier for Toronto to fit him on their roster. Any retained salary cap will drive up the asking price, so Dubas will need to figure out how much he is willing to spend on a rental defenseman.

A trade to Toronto would reunite Giordano with his former Calgary Flames defense partner T.J. Brodie. The chemistry that the two of them share could be beneficial in the playoffs. It would help Giordano’s transition into the lineup with his new team. Adding Giordano would give the Toronto Maple Leafs a solid defensive veteran who can still play 20 minutes a night.

At 38-years-old, this could be Giordano’s last shot at winning a Stanley Cup. Whichever team he ends up on is going to get a player who is determined to win. That would be a good thing for the Maple Leafs, but it will all depend on Seattle’s asking price.

Final Thoughts

With the way Toronto’s salary cap looks next season, it is hard to see them fitting Miller or Garland under the cap unless a player like Kerfoot is traded. I think the best short-term answer for Toronto is Giordano. Depending on which player(s) they send to Seattle, the Toronto Maple Leafs could add Giordano and then add Muzzin back in once the playoffs start. Toronto could start the playoffs with the following defense pairings.

Rielly – Sandin
Giordano – Brodie
Muzzin – Lyubushkin

Next. Leafs Top 10 Prospects. dark

I think those parings are currently better than what Toronto has right now. By 3pm on March 21st, we will find out what Toronto will look like come playoff time.

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