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The Toronto Maple Leafs made the first of what could be many potential moves before the February 26th NHL Trade Deadline with the trade of winger Nikita Soshnikov to the St. Louis Blues last week.
The club now has opened up a spot under the limit of 50 professional contracts, which gives Lou Lamoriello some flexibility to add a player over the next seven days. The Leafs could potentially be buyers if a top four blueliner or a center become available for what the Leafs GM deems to be a reasonable price, but there continues to be the possibility that they will deal either center Tyler Bozak or winger James van Riemsdyk before the deadline if the return is too good to refuse.
Taking into account the latest rumors and comparable asking prices on the trade market for similar players, here is a guide for what Toronto would potentially have to give up in trades leading up to the deadline.
Buying deals
Rental defenseman - From all indications, the Leafs are not heavily pursuing the top pending free agent blueliners, Mike Green of the Detroit Red Wings and Jack Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The cost for either is expected to be at least a first round pick and perhaps more.
This would not make much sense for Toronto, who are a dark horse in the race for the Stanley Cup.
Vancouver’s Erik Gudbranson was rumored to be of interest to the Leafs, but according to
TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the 26-year-old blueliner is closing in on a contract extension with the Canucks.
The market for defensemen on expiring contracts past the top three of Green, Johnson and Gudbranson includes Buffalo’s Josh Gorges (who previously refused to waive his no-trade clause to accept a trade to Toronto), Nick Holden of the New York Rangers and former Leafs first rounder Luke Schenn, all who which do not offer a significant upgrade on Toronto’s current blueline but would provide depth in case of injury.
Potential Cost - Based on the price paid by Washington on Monday to acquire defenseman Michal Kempny from Chicago, the addition of right-handed shooters in Holden or Schenn for depth purposes would likely cost Toronto a third or fourth round pick in 2018 or 2019.
Defenseman with term remaining - The Leafs preferred course of action to improve the blueline is to trade for someone with term remaining on their contract, which will cost more than a short-term rental but will provide an upgrade for more than just the remainder of this season.
Arizona’s Niklas Hjalmarsson and Vancouver’s Chris Tanev fit the description of what Lamoriello is looking for, but how much they will cost and their availability are factors that could prevent a deal being completed.
Hjalmarsson has five assists in 33 games for the Coyotes and another season at $4.1 Million, but has three Stanley Cup rings and would provide the Leafs with a solid addition to their top four.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that teams including Toronto have inquired about Tanev and that it will take a “special offer” to acquire the 28-year-old defenseman, who is currently on the injured list, but is under contract for another two seasons at $4.45 Million.
Potential cost - Hjalmarsson is rumored to want out of Arizona and GM John Chayka has in the past been eager to take prospects and/or high picks in deals for rentals or players with limited term remaining, such the trade with Minnesota for center Martin Hanzal last season. Vancouver is more likely to be looking for an NHL-ready player, as well as a high draft pick for a 28-year-old Tanev.
Hjalmarsson – 2018 second round pick and Connor Carrick
Tanev – 2018 or 2019 first round pick and Kasperi Kapanen
Fourth line center - Toronto may have enough depth up the middle this season, but Dominic Moore and Tyler Bozak’s contracts are up this summer and according to
TSN’s Frank Seravelli , the Leafs could be looking proactively at Red Wings center Luke Glendening.
The 28-year-old is known to be a favorite of head coach Mike Babcock going back to his days in Detroit and is locked up for three more years at $1.8 Million per season, but the Wings are not looking to deal Glendening for a draft pick, but could for a younger player capable of playing in the NHL.
Potential cost - Frederik Gauthier and a low-to mid round draft pick.
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