Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Rumors Beginning to Heat Up

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

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.