Third-Line Center Trade Options for Toronto Maple Leafs

MIkael Granlund - San Jose Sharks

Mikael Granlund was shipped from Pittsburgh to San Jose last summer as part of the Erik Karlsson trade.

Offensively, the former first round pick had one of his best seasons and had his most ice-time of his career playing just shy of 21-minutes a night, which included an increased role on the penalty kill.

Granlund now enters the final year of a four-year deal that pays him $5M per season. The Sharks are likely looking to move him during the season and he could be attainable.

Nazem Kadri - Calgary Flames

This is a complete pipe dream as it appears that the Calgary Flames refuse to deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs at all, but if they did the team could go after their former first round pick and two-time 32-goal scorer.

Although, as fun as this would be, Kadri is too old and too expensive, so even if Calgary would deal with the Leafs, it's unlikely to happen.

Plain and simple, Kyle Dubas had no choice to trade Kadri, because there isn't a player on any team in the entire world of professional sports that could get himself suspended in two consequetive game-sevens and stay his team.

It does suck the Leafs had to trade him, but the fault is 100% Kadri's.

After having a down season in his first year with the Flames, Kadri rebounded with 29-goals and 75 points last year. The deal would be really tough as Calgary would have to take a contract back and retain salary on the final five years of his deal as he carries a cap hit of $7M.

This would likely make him too expensive to acquire for what he could bring, given his age. Still, it's a fun idea.