The Big List of Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Deadline Options

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot of problems with their roster.

The Toronto Maple Leafs need a starting goalie, because none of the three goalies they have is a respectable choice to lead this team into the playoffs.

They also need help on their blue-line which is absolutely terrible. Their main need is a puck-mover or two, but if they can also add some meanness that would help too.

The Leafs also require a third line centre, and maybe a scoring winger.

Can they get all of these things? No, they probably cannot.

But when you factor in the disappointing season to date, the potential cap space they could have, the fact that the Leafs are said to be in on every single player rumored to be available, and their many, many needs, it is shaping up to be the most interested Trade Deadline in years.

The only problem?

Ol' Brad doesn't seem to be up to the job. Absolutely nothing he's done since being hired by Brendan Shanahan inspires confidence. And fluking out on Simon Benoit and Martin Jones (*for about a week) doesn't count.

So far Treliving has shown himself to be a name-brand chasing, anti-analytics, interchangabel-with-90%-of-other-GMs kind of guy. He's the only GM in the game with 2 disappointing teams this year, and the best thing you can say about his tenure so far is that it's shaping up to be short.

But maybe it won't be - let's see how he does over the next month. With that said, here is a big list of players who might be available, who should be available, or who I wish was available and what I think about them in terms of being trade options for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Trevor Zegras

Why the Ducks would be interested in moving on from someone with his talent has more to do with the NHL's embarrassingly stupid culture than anything else. A buy-low move on someone this young and talented should be every GM's goal. If Brad Treliving could in any way swing this, it would be spectacular. A second-line centre who could push Tavares to the wing and give the Leafs just an insane amount of options, this would be a dream come true, but it's highly improbable.

Clayton Keller

Keller is, like Zegras, an unrealistic dream acquisition. He makes $7 million dollars and the Coyotes would be nuts to trade him. However, stranger things have happened and it would be undoubtably cool if the Leafs traded for him.

Alex Kerfoot

This isn't going to happen, but ironically it's a great idea. Kerfoot can play on any line, he's great defensively and he scores quite a bit more than you think 5v5.

At $3.5 and another year on his deal, he'd be a pretty attractive asset. He's boring and people don't like him, but he's a lot more effective than pretty much anyone in the Leafs current bottom-six + Bertuzzi.

In retrospect, Kerfoot was better than Domi and the Leafs should have just kept him, but I can see why they felt the need to make some changes.

Nick Bjugstad

He's 31 and doesn't score enough to usurp Domi. He would be an improvement over Kampf. He's a popular yet bad idea for help. Non-stars don't really make any difference one way or the other, so teams should be pursuing players with upside, which Bjugstad doesn't have.

The Toronto Maple Leafs should have no interest.

Barrett Hayton

He's 23 and has teased breakout potential for years but hasn't quite lived up to his draft status. A perfect type of reclamation project. Makes less than $2 million and could really help at left wing.

This would be a fairly exciting addition, though with the emergance of McMann and Robertson its probably not necessary.

Matt Dumba

People still think of him like it was five years ago, but he's nothing more than a bottom-pairing guy, and the Leafs have a million of those.

I wouldn't be that interested, but he's a pending UFA and one of the smartest and coolest players in the NHL, so if he didn't cost too much he'd be an good addition, I just wouldn't expect him to be the Duma of four or five years ago.

Casey Mittlestadt

A pending RFA currently making less than $3 million he's a great offensive player who provides decent defense and is only 25.

The Sabres are terrible, and maybe they could be tricked into moving on here. It's the perfect 3C or the perfect guy to move Tavares to the wing. Either way, he talented and cheap. Should be a top priority but it's unlikely Buffalo would trade him.

Chris Tanev

He's a righty, he's underrated and he'd help the Leafs. He might be better than Taven and likely would be cheaper too. I'd definitely have interest.

For the cost, any trade for Tanev is bound to be a loser. He's not a star and the Leafs need to aim higher. Now if he's their second or third addition, that changes everything. Not interestred in him as the main upgrade though. Note: he was traded to Dallas mere seconds before publication of this article.

Noah Hannifin

Though this kind of gives me Phaneuf flashbacks *(Leafs acquire overrated Flames D) I would be extremely pumped if Treliving pulled this off.

He's not great, but he's very good. He isn't the game-changing #1 dman we all wish we could get, but he's the next best thing. He'd give the Leafs 2 of the best #2s in the game. (There has to be a better way to say that!).

As far as players thought to be available, he appears to be the best one.

Andrew Mangiapane

Two years left and six million per year? That's a no for me. Even retained I'd rather have Kerfoot or just stick with McMann and Robertson.

Mackenzie Weegar

He's signed for like eight more years and Calgary will never compete while he's still an elite asset, so it's not impossible he becomes available, just very unlikely.

He's their best defenseman and would be the Leafs too. Unlikely to happen, but it would sure get the Leafs alot closer to a Cup this year.

Rasmus Anderson

He's a righty, he's underrated and he'd help the Leafs. He might be better than Taven and likely would be cheaper too. I'd definitely have interest.

Jacob Markstrum

Two more years for a 34 year old after this one at $6 million.

That's daunting, but for now he's one of the best goalies alive and he's on fire. I'd take a shot and worry about the next two years later. In fact, if Woll is who we think he is, those two years could be a nice transition - Markstrum starts this year, they split next year, and Woll takes over two years from now.

You'd be adding an elite player at the most important position. No guarantee he keeps it up, but he's a good bet to help the team.

Jonathan Huberdeau

Just kidding.

Zach Werenski

This should be one of the Toronto Maple Leafs priorities when it comes to improving their team. Few players this good ever become available, and while it's no guarantee that he is, the Blue Jackets are an awful, poorly run team and they might be looking to move on.

He has three years after this one at $9.5 million, so it's likely not doable, but who knows? He is a great player with upside who is only 26. Injuries are an issue, but maybe something with some money retained would be worth a really big package. You gotta get creative if you want to add elite players since the only other way is to be horrible enough to draft them.

Boone Jenner

A popular choice that would be like when the Leafs got Nick Foligno. He's not scoring in Toronto as much as he scored in Columbus because he wouldn't get the opportunities to do so.

I do like the idea of having Jenner and Bertuzzi and Knies in the playoffs, however. I am more against this as the major upgrade. If they do other stuff and also added Jenner that'd be great.

Elvis Merzlikens

I'm a fan of anyone named Elvis, but I really don't think this is the answer to the Leafs goaltending problems.

Erik Gudbranson

This is probably the single worst idea I've heard anyone float.

Sad thing is I can see Treliving thinking this is a good move. It's not.

Andrew Peeke

Another popular choice that makes no sense.

If the Leafs were missing depth blue-liners, sure. But with Benoit, Laggessson, Giordano and even Brodie (who should be on the 3rd pairing) there is no reason to add players like this.

Adrian Kempe

If LA were to fall out of playoff contention, he's 27 and would make the Leafs so dangerous. A package of a bunch of futures and cap casualties for Kemp an Roy? A boy can dream.

Realistically, he's not getting traded, but smart teams go off the board and he'd be a major addition.

Matt Roy

He's great at defense and offense. Like a poor man's #1 or another #2 in the Rielly/Hannifin sense, he's also a pending UFA making only $3.5.

This would be an absolute homerun for the Leafs, but remains a longshot because even though LA lost about ten in a row earlier in the year, they are still a playoff team.

Marcus Johansson

I've heard his name mentioned with the idea of reuniting him with Calle Jarnkrok but that is just lazy. Johansson is 33 and signed through the end of next year.

He is old, has negative value and his being signed through next year is a negative as well. I cannot make it any clearer how much it is important for the Leafs to avoid name-brand non-star "upgrades" like this who will block young and talented players from getting ice-time.

Zach Bogosian

He is 33 and I didn't like him when the Leafs had him the first time. This type of player is so overrated because the second they make a mistake it saps all their value because they do not have any offense.

Hockey is a dynamic, fluid, holistic game where any attempts to focus on defense or offense exclusively and at the expense of the other just hurt far more than they help.

The Leafs already have Benoit and should use him sparingly. Adding Bogosian is one of the worst ideas out there. Also, statistically, he has negative value this year.

Jonas Brodin

An elite right handed defenseman who is fantastic defensively and can still move the puck. He's a dream addition, but he also is 30, signed for another four years after this one at $6 million.

You could probably live with the contract, he's easily going to be worth the price for another year or two. And then? Who cares? Adding Brodin would make the Leafs so much better than they are today.

He is by far the best player on a non-playoff team that you could theoretically add....but will the Wild trade him? Is Treliving even smart enough to know how good he is?

Tanner Pearson

A left wing, but he's having a terrible season. It's been a long time since he scored 24 goals for the Kings. I don't see the Leafs having any interest or him helping much if they did.

Michael Matheson

A puck moving defender, he plays the left side and would be a great addition for the Leafs. What they thought they might get in Klingberg, they would really get in Matheson.

With Rielly on the top pairing and Jake McCabe on the second pairing, Matheson would look amazing on the third pairing, playing sheltered minutes and moving the puck like a star. He'd also give the Leafs a second PP QB.

He is 29, signed for 2 years after this one, and costs just under $5 million.

David Savard

He's 33 and he sucks, but he's a bit of a name so of course people love to throw him out there. He would be an incredibly stupid option for the Toronto Maple Leafs, along the lines of Bogosian or something.

Jake Allen

I don't believe in Ilya Samsonov's redemption and I wouldn't have him anywhere near a playoff roster.
But Jake Allen is like Martin Jones but worse. I want a goalie for the Leafs, but not this one.

Tyson Barrie

The Leafs do need a puck-mover, and like Matheson he would ideally be a good one to have on a third pairing getting sheltered minutes and playing on the second power-play unit. Unfortuantely, at 32 his best playing days are behind him and I don't think he has anything to offer the Leafs. No interested in a reunion here.

Alexander Carrier

He is 27 and makes $2.5 million and is a pending UFA. His player card says he's bring a little bit of value offensively and a slightly negative value defensively.

He's a popular name on Leafs Twitter, but he's a bottom pairing guy who doesn't do too much. He'd be a slight upgrade on Simon Benoit, but otherwise isn't going to help too much.

Dante Fabbro

A better option than Carrier, he's just 25 and costs the same, only the Leafs would retain his rights after the season because he's a RFA.

A plus-defender with a little bit of offense to his game, he's way better than Benoit and would be a very nice bottom pairing addition. He even has a bit of upside.

Juuse Saros

This is the dream addition. Of any player who could reasonably be said to be available, this is by far the best one. A superstar franchise goalie signed for one more year at a ridiculously low $5 million cap-hit, Saros is just 28.

The cost to get him would be astronomical, making it unlikely. However, if you could potentially add a franchise-level goalie to Marner and Matthews, I would think you'd do just about anything to make it happen.

Brock Nelson

A historically underrated player, Nelson is 32 and has another year on his contract after this one for six million. Despite being 32, he looks like he's 45 and plays like he's 25.

Nelson has 25 goals this year and is just behind a 40 goal pace. If salary was retained and he didn't cost too much, he would be an excellent addition of depth scoring. I've liked Domi's game since Tavarse was put on the third line, but having 3 x #1 centres should be every team's goal since it makes it so hard to defend against.

According to the Athletic's Player Cards, Nelson is a +8 this year, while Domi is a -2. He's better defensively than Max and he's a 6'4 monster.

I don't really think the Leafs are going to upgrade on Domi, but this is a way they could do it.

Alexander Romanov

A 24 year old defenseman who is signed through next season at $2.5, Romanov is 6'1 215 and he is a great shot-blocker who is a plus-defender.

The Leafs have four defenseman who are bringing positive results to the team - Liljegren, Rielly, Brodie and McCabe - that means they likely need two upgrades on the back-end in order to push Giordano and Benoit into the pressbox.

Romanov would be an excellent third pairing left-side option.

Scott Mayfield

I wouldn't want him because he's terrible, but he's 6'5 so he always gets mentioned. He shoots right, so that's a plus, but he is about as one-dimensional as Simon Benoit so there is really no point in trading for him.

Tomas Chabot

He's a left-shot defenseman who moves the puck in an elite way. His offensive value is great, and he is still a positive impact player despite his bad defense. The Leafs could definitely use a second elite puck-mover to compliment Rielly (I think that outside of a goalie upgrade, it's their biggest need),

Unfortunately, at 4 x $8 million after this season, it's probably not going to happen. Still, Brodie and Kampf would equal his cap hit and you could worry about the salary cap for next year next year. The current Leafs team would benefit so much from a player like this that I really think it's worth exploring.

Jacob Chychrun

He's cheaper, signed for less term, and younger than Chabot, so likely twice as expensive. It's also possible that Chabot is the better player. Chabot averages more ice time per game and his numbers are superior to Chychrun's on the same team.

IT would be exciting to get him, but I don't think it's that smart of a play when you could probably get Chabot for cheaper just because of the contract. Not that either is likely.

Artem Zub

He is 28, right handed, signed for four more years for under a $5 million cap-hit. He's big, he's good at both ends of the rink and he's underrated. Any of the three Senators defenders would help, and this is the least sexy acquisition, but it could be a smart one. As a TJ Brodie replacement the Toronto Maple Leafs could do worse.

Anton Forsberg

In no way do I think this is a good idea as an upgrade, but I would swap Samsonov for him and pocket the slight savings.

Claude Giroux

He's still flirting with being an elite player despite being 36. He is a massive upgrade on Domi but for double the cost. Wouldn't be the worst idea, but I don't love paying him almost $7 million next year.

Vladimir Tarsenko

I think he's washed and I'd rather play Bobby Mcann, so hard pass.

Ridley Greig

Imagine? He's really good and just 21, but he's not going anywhere, I just put this one in for fun!

Cam Atkinson

Only putting him here because his name always comes up, but the Toronto Maple Leafs should have no interest.

Scott Laughton

Again, another player that always gets brought up. But he sucks. He's bad defensively. He has no offense. He makes $3 million and there isn't a Leafs player other than Ryan Reaves you'd take out of the lineup to play him. Just a terrible, dare I say lazy, idea.

Sean Walker

A pending UFA who makes $2.9 million and is right handed. Almost all his positive impact comes from offense, and he is the perfect addition to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This is a huge value-add and Brad Treliving should be ignoring the Flames and focusing on Walker.

Marc Staal

I wouldn't add this guy to any team, because not only is he bad at hockey (comparatively compared to other NHL players, obviously) but trading for dirtbags goes against my personal beliefs.

Even if he was good, which he isn't, I find him so repulsive and repellant I couldn't stomach him on the Leafs.

Rasmus Ristolainen

I shouldn't have to say this, but no.

Evgeni Malkin

Assuming Pittsburgh becomes sellers, they have several interesting players. Malkin is 37 but still quite good. He would give the Leafs another superstar centre (he's better than Tavares is, and Tavares is still pretty good). Only problem is he has a full no-movement clause and makes $6.1 for two years after this. If he was 50% retained and waived his clause, it's hard to imagine a better pickup.

Now prevailing wisdom says he doesn't want to leave Pittsburgh, but you never know if you don't ask!

Lars Eller

This is a name I keep reading, and I really hope the Leafs wouldn't bother. This is the kind of name-brand player teams love because of experience and intangibles, but who really just blocks a younger player. Lars Eller is good defensively and has no offensive game to speak of. The Leafs already have David Kampf so I have less than zero interest in adding any more one-dimensional players to the team.

Jake Guentzel

Probably the best player available. Guentzel is a full fledged super-star who is extrmely valuable and who would "move the needle" an absolute ton. Adding a left winger like this to Auston Matthews line and then creatiing a situation where you follow him with two power-forwards in Bertuzzi and Knies would be insane. Whatever the cost to add Guentzel, it's worth it.

Mario Ferraro

He may have some talent that sugggests he isn't one of the worst players on one of the worst teams in the NHL, but that's what his number say. Do the Leafs have need for any more bottom pairing defenseman, since outside of Rielly and Liljegren that's probably where the rest of their players should be if they were on an elite blue-line? I doubt it.

Luke Kunin

He's 26. He may have some things to reccomend him, but he's not taking icetime away from Bobby McMann or Nick Robertson, and is he really better than Alex Steeves or even Noah Gregor? I included him because he was in a rumour last week, but I just don't see the attraction to bottom-of-the-lineup players. Trade for stars or play your rookies is my philosophy.

Jordan Eberle

He's still putting up numbers and he's still a speed demon. The Leafs could do a whole lot worse to add Eberle. He's a UFA and with a double-retention scheme a la the Ryan O'Rielly trade you could add a star player to your roster on the cheap. As much as I like Nick Robertson and Bobby McMann, Eberle on the 3rd line after Marner and Nylander is just bonkers. For a team that always loses when it can't score in the playoffs this is a very smart move.

Alex Wenberg

If there is a more boring player around, I haven't heard of him. He's not good, he's not bad, he just is. Like Alex Kerfoot he is just kind of there and usually surprisingly effective. If he was acquired I wouldn't be mad, I wouldn't be happy, in fact I'd barely have an opinion. He's better than Max Domi.

Tomas Tatar

He makes no money and is a pending UFA. This is the kind of magical acquisition that wins you a Cup. He can play anywhere, but you can get him and instantly have the best 4th line in the league. A perennially underrated rockstar of underratedness, I would be a huge fan of his acquisition.

Vince Dunn

I don't want to throw out the E word, but he may just be the elusive engaging eviscierating envoy of excellence the Leafs have been looking for. Yeah, he's ELITE and there's little chance he's available but it doesn't hurt to ask. He's 27 and makes a reasonable $7.5 for another four years.

Does an expansion team want to cash in their best player for futures? If so this is the trade to make.

Adam Larsson

He's sort of what Simon Benoit could be if Simon Benoit wasn't an OHL level puck handler. If it doesn't break the bank and other assets are also added I wouldn't be against this excellent blue-line upgrade.

Brian Dumelin

Another great defensive player with no offensive value. He's better than Benoit as well, and would be a cheap upgrade on what the Leafs have.

William Borgen

He's one of those weird names that comes up and sort of becomes trendy. Seems like every Leafs analyst things he'd be a great addition. He can move the puck and on the Leafs that is what's needed. He woudl probably be a bit better on the Leafs too since their forwards are so great. I like him better than just the defense-only guys, but for what seems like the hundreth time, the Leafs have a lot of 3rd pairing options and need top-four guys, which I'm not sure Borgen is.

Jamie Oleksiak

A lot of people think he'd be a good addition. I however don't think you should be interested at all in a 31 year old with two years left on a $5 million cap hit. Especially because he has been a negative value player this year and isn't really good in any way.

John Gibson

It's true that he hasn't had very good numbers for four or five years, but its also true that he's only 30 and is extremely talented. The Leafs would be taking a chance, but I think it's a good bet to pair him with Joseph Woll who himself could become a star.

I would really like to see John Gibson play in front of an actual good team. I don't think it's a popular idea, but I like it.

Jordan Binnington

Until last year it seemed like Binnington was going to become like Sorokin or Saros and become a franchie goalie. Maybe he still can be. He does have a Stanley Cup and does come with a bit of baggage. However, as I am wont to say "He's better than Samsonov"

Colton Paryko

He's constantly mentioned as an option because once upon a time he was a star player and he won a Stanley Cup. Now he's awful. He's also already 30 and signed for seven more years.

Paryko is, at best, a 3rd pairing player right now. He's signed for about triple what he's worth and has one of the longest and worst contracts in the NHL. The Toronto Maple Leafs wouldn't pick him off waivers.

Pavel Buchnevich

This is the kind of player who, if available, you do whatever it takes to get him. This would be a huge add for the Leafs. He's a star, plays all three forward positions and has a good contract that goes into next season.

Anthony Mantha

A pending UFA who makes $5.7 million, Mantha is an underrated borderline star player who would really help the Toronto Maple Leafs. I don't know that the Leafs really need a winger, but star players at any position help, and you could get him really cheap if you double-retained. Might be expensive to acquire.

John Carlson

He's old, but he's still good. He is a puck mover and would do what the Leafs wished John Klingberg would have done for them. Not an option with three years and a $6 million cap hit left, but if you could somehow get him with some salary retained it would pay off this year and you just deal with the other years later.

That's it! That's I think roughly 70 players, and I'm sure I missed quite a few guys who will be traded next week while covering several dozen who won't! That's the fun of the NHL Trade Deadline, however, which I think is one of the most fun times of the NHL season. Here is hoping the Toronto Maple Leafs get themselves at least one, maybe two stars to help them win the Stanley Cup this June.