No. 8: Vladimir Tarasenko
Tarasenko is currently injured, but that shouldn’t stop the Leafs from acquiring him.
At $7M AAV, his contract is expensive but it only has one-year left on it, which makes it much more affordable. There’s zero chance that Toronto could afford his contract next year, so this would strictly be a rental, but it could be a risk that could turn the Toronto Maple Leafs from contender to favorite.
There aren’t too many players in the NHL that are skilled as Tarasenko that will be available at the NHL Trade Deadline this year. The right-winger has six 30-plus goal seasons and was on his way to having another one this year if he didn’t get injured.
Injuries have been a concern for him in the past but if he’s healthy for a playoff run, he has the offensive upside to score a huge goal in a meaningful game.
He’s only a few years removed from winning a Stanley Cup and knows what it takes to win so that never hurts in the dressing room either.