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Toronto Maple Leafs: Top 2023 Trade Deadline Targets

By Jeremy Ridgewell

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 02: Toronto Maple Leafs logo on jersey during an NHL game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on October 2, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 02: Toronto Maple Leafs logo on jersey during an NHL game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on October 2, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 20: Jakob Chychrun #6 of the Arizona Coyotes . (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 20: Jakob Chychrun #6 of the Arizona Coyotes . (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Jake McCabe LD/RD

Jake McCabe is signed until the end of the 2024-25 season with a cap hit of $4 million. He is just one defenseman that has been linked to Toronto.

McCabe isn’t as good as Chychrun, but he’d be an excellent addition to the team.  A very good top four defender with decent offense and excellent defensive / shut-down skills, McCabe is a great back-up plan if the Leafs don’t get the top player available.

The only problem with these kinds of players is, who comes out for them? He’s not so obviously elite that you’d add him no matter what.

You can’t trade Rielly, Brodie, or Gio, and he isn’t much of an upgrade over Sandin or Liljegren, which leaves only Holl.  Holl is the Leafs biggest defender and one of their most used.

Chychrun instantly becomes the Leafs best defender, but fitting in McCabe would be much trickier.

Jakob Chychrun LD/RD

Jakob Chychrun is 24 years old and signed until the end of the 2024-25 season.

He would offer Toronto great depth to their defense and his cap hit is a reasonable $4.6 million. The cost of acquiring him will be steep, but it’s a gamble Dubas might be willing to make.

With the exception of Meier, it’s hard to imagine a more exciting player the Leafs could add.

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