10 Massive Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Targets for the NHL Trade Deadline

Scott Mayfield (RD)

The Maple Leafs could very much benefit from an upgrade on their blue line, especially if Jake Muzzin isn’t able to return from his neck injury. Adding a 6’5’’, 220 lbs shutdown defenseman would be the upgrade the Leafs may be looking for. That is why Scott Mayfield is certainly on the front office’s wish list.

Mayfield plays for the New York Islanders, who have had a strong start to the season, a significant change for the organization. They didn’t qualify for the playoffs last year. GM Lou Lamoriello hopes that his team’s fortune has turned this season, but if he’s wrong, Mayfield should be available come the trade deadline.

Mayfield isn’t the quickest player and does get beaten by those who speed to the outside but he will protect the middle and in front of his own goal with purpose. Defense is even more important in the playoffs and there’s no question it’s what Mayfield will offer every night. Last season, he had a Corsi percentage of 49.0. That was 2.7 points higher relative to the rest of his team.

While the 30 year old is known to be reliable in his own zone, he seems to have found an offensive touch that hasn’t been his specialty so far in his career. That’s why it’s surprising that the big man so far this season has tallied four goals and two assists in 21 games. It’s not a pace fans should expect to continue. Mayfield’s highest goal total came in 2020 when he managed to pot five goals in 67 games.