Connor Murphy - Chicago Blackhawks
Another steady and reliable defenseman with a physical presence that the Leafs can pursue is Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks. He may not be the flashy defenseman that finds himself on the highlight reels. But he does his job so well that he may not be noticeable on most nights.
Despite playing for the struggling Blackhawks team, Murphy has been getting it done with over 20 minutes of ice time per game as part of their top four. He has registered 106 blocks and 76 hits in 45 games played, and his surprising offensive output of 13 points to date has him on pace to potentially break his career-high total of 19 set during the 2019-20 NHL season.
As a right-handed defenseman and with one year left in his contract, he would give the Leafs already old blue-line another old player who can't move the puck.
Noah Dobson- New York Islanders
The 6'4 220 LBS former 70 point-scoring, puck moving, 25-year-old, right-handed Noah Dobson is the perfect fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Leafs need a young puck-mover who can be their number-one defenseman and push everyone on their current blue-line down a notch, and Dobson fits that need to a T.
The currently injured Islanders defenseman is thought to be available and, to make him an even better fit on the cash-strapped Leafs, he makes $4.5 million on an expiring contract (he will be a restricted free-agent after the season) which means the Leafs could fit him in if the Islanders agreed to take Max Domi.
The cost for such a trade will be massive - and would likely include Matthew Knies, if there was even a trade the Leafs could come up witht that the Islanders would accept since the rumours are that Vancvouver has offered Elias Pettersson for Dobson.
Dobson may be an unlikely add, but he is the dream addition in a best-case scenario.