The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Columbus Blue Jackets could help each other mutually in an interesting win-win deal.
As we all know, the Toronto Maple Leafs have too many players and not enough cap-space.
According to Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell believes his team could still make a splash this season. Despite a terrible season last year, the Blue Jackets have started the season better than expected. The Jackets are 5-5-1 entering Tuesday night’s action and within striking distance of third place in the Metro Division.
That rather unexpected start has prompted Waddell, according to Seravalli, to look for center help. Moreover, Seravalli explained during a recent episode of his Daily Faceoff podcast that the Blue Jackets are willing to utilise their cap space to take on an “undesirable” contract to facilitate a trade.
In other words, the Blue Jackets are willing to take on a bad contract to grease the wheels on a deal. Now, that situation could mean getting a player they want at a reasonable price point, even if it means accepting a salary cap dump.
That situation could be a golden opportunity for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs have a need to clear cap space as players like Calle Jarnkrok and Connor Dewar could be returning sooner rather than later.
However, it depends on what sort of deal the Leafs and Jackets could work out. If anything, the Timothy Liljegren deal proved that a team motivated to add players could lead to an unexpectedly good deal.
Trade candidates between Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets
David Kampf could be the center Columbus want to target in a trade with the Leafs. For months now, Kampf has been the subject of trade speculation. The online rumour mill has been abuzz with the prospect of the Leafs shipping Kampf over as a cap dump.
Now, let’s assume the Blue Jackets could be interested in Kampf, which I’m not quite sure they might be. But assuming they are, the Leafs could throw in an “undesirable” contract such as Ryan Reaves. Reaves doesn't earn an astronomical sum and has one more year left on his deal after this season.
Reaves fits the bill for the type of undesirable contract the Jackets could be willing to take on. Plus, the Leafs could easily clear about $3.5 million in cap space. In return, the Leafs could get two to three draft picks. Of course, a first-rounder would be out of the question. But say a couple of third-rounders and a sixth round pick could make things interesting.
Moreover, the Leafs will need draft capital at the trade deadline. Since it seems unlikely the Leafs will trade for an impact player at the deadline, several draft picks could help add around the fringes to provide the Leafs with depth pieces for the playoffs.
Now, how likely is a deal between Columbus and Toronto?
In my estimation, it's a 50-50 shot, at best. The Blue Jackets are certainly motivated, but they could be looking at some with much more scoring upside than David Kampf. Still, the Blue Jackets could still make a deal involving Kampf and pursue a more impactful player in another club.