Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Under the Radar Trades for a Defenseman

Dmitry Kulikov

Dmitry Kulikov is in his first year with the Anaheim Ducks and his 14th in the NHL. It’s his seventh franchise of his career and his fifth in four years.

Kulikov’s inability to find a long term home is actually an asset for him. He’s learned how to find his place and role quickly with a foreign group. This may make him the perfect person to acquire as a rental.

Now, at 32-years-old, the 6-foot-1, 204 pound blue liner has been known as a true defender. Kulikov has never topped 28 points in a season. He protects his own end and can be a presence on the Maple Leafs penalty kill. This has always been his game. Kulikov plays to his strength, which is why he has lasted so long in the league.

This season, Kulikov is averaging a hefty 20:22 per game. It’s a lot more minutes than Toronto would need from him. If they were to play him on a bottom pairing, over Connor Timmins, the Maple Leafs would be even more difficult to score on.

Kulikov shoots left but can play on both sides of the ice. The benefit that Keefe has with his lineup is that TJ Brodie has experience and the ability to play on either the left or right side as well. That means, if Dubas managed to swing a deal with the Ducks general manager, Pat Verbeek, to acquire Kulikov, Keefe has options. If in fact Timmins became the odd man out, Keefe could move Brodie over to the right side and slot Kulikov on the left.

Vladislav Gavrikov

Vladislav Gavrikov would be a nice pick up for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Currently with the Columbus Blue Jackets, he’s now playing in his fourth year in the NHL. Prior to entering the league, the 27-year-old plied his trade in Russia with a pair of KHL teams and playing international hockey.

Gavrikov has been logging big minutes in Columbus. It’s a credit to his determination and hard work. There’s no question that he’s earned his spot. Gavrikov was not a top prospect heading into the 2015 NHL Entry Draft where the Blue Jackets selected him in the sixth-round, 159th overall. He’s worked his way not only onto the team but to their top pairing.

The 6-foot-3, 213 pound defenseman isn’t as well known as his teammate Erik Gudbranson (who was a first-round, third-overall pick in 2010), but unlikke Gudbranson, Gavrikov isn’t one of the NHL’s worst players.

Gavrikov has a $2.8 million cap hit in contrast to Gudbranson’s $4 million hit. However, it’s Gavrikov’s possession metrics which stand out more with a Corsi For rating of 43.8 at even strength compared to Gudbranson’s 40.5. Gavrikov is also more trusted in his own end.

With the Toronto Maple Leafs, Gavrikov would be insurance. He’s someone who can play with just about anyone, and with the uncertainty of what the blue line will look like come the post season, having a player with his versatility and ability to defend makes Gavrikov a valuable asset. Additionally, his cap hit is one that would be a lot easier for the Toronto Maple Leafs to manage than most big name players.

Jack Johnson and the Toronto Maple Leafs

At one point in his career, Jack Johnson was a highly coveted prospect. A product of one of the top hockey high schools in America, Shattuck St. Mary’s, Johnson graduated into the United States Development Program. This program took his game to new heights, launching the Indianapolis, Indiana native all the way to become the third-overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Johnson has been a fine NHL player but never lived up to his hype and expectations. When he first entered the league, it looked like he would one day be an all-star. That selection has still yet to come even though Johnson is now 17 years in.

That’s not to say that Johnson isn’t useful. He has always been a reliable player who can eat big minutes and move the puck well. This season with the Chicago Blackhawks, at 36-years-old, he has been playing on 20:17 per night. Through 34 games, Johnson has also given his team a touch of offense, collecting four total assists.

Just like the previous pair of featured defensemen, Johnson isn’t the man the Leafs would acquire for offense. He’s a defense-first minded player.  Also, like the other two blue liners, he shoots left.

Johnson’s no stranger to being traded. It’s happened to him twice before. In 2006, he and Oleg Tverdovsky were flipped for Eric Belanger and Tim Gleason. His second move was in 2012 when he and a first-round pick were exchanged for Jeff Carter.

Not only would Johnson be a great fit at the bottom of the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup, but he wouldn’t cost very much. The return for Johnson, at this point of his career, is far less than it was in both 2006 and 2012. He is also making just $950,000. This is an easy contract for Toronto to fit under the cap.

The Toronto Maple Leafs may just be one piece away from finding the big success they’re searching for. Perhaps one of these under the radar defensemen are exactly who they need.