maple leafs

List of available D relatively unchanged as deadline approaches

Mar 12, 2022 • 11:47 am

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The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be focused on upgrading their blueline in advance of the March 21st NHL Trade Deadline as GM Kyle Dubas indicated last week, but that was before the injury to goalie Jack Campbell and an alarmingly poor performance by Petr Mrazek against Arizona. The Leafs will go with Mrazek against the Buffalo Sabres in the Heritage Classic in Hamilton ON. On Sunday, another poor performance may force Dubas to augment his plans with just over a week to go.

The Leafs still appear to be planning on bringing back defenseman Jake Muzzin prior to the end of the season, which likely means that Dubas will have to move a salary off the roster as well as having their trade partner retain salary to fit in a potential top-four defenseman. Just before the All-Star break, we took a look at the list of available rental and non-rental defensemen on the market and that list has changed only slightly.

Montreal blueliner Ben Chiarot continues to be highly coveted since he can play both the left and right side, provides physicality and playoff experience, but St. Louis, New York, Florida, and Colorado are also rumored to be interested and willing to pay the reported price of a first-round pick and a prospect.

Philadelphia re-signed righty Rasmus Ristolainen to a five-year, $25.5 million deal earlier this week, taking one big piece off the defensive board, but Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicates that the Flyers may be interested in a larger reset of their blueline than just dealing veteran rental Justin Braun, but also shopping Travis Sanheim and Ivan Provorov.

Toronto native Mark Girodano is likely to be dealt by the Seattle Kraken before the deadline and could be effective being reunited with former D partner TJ Brodie, but his $6.75 million salary would be difficult for the Leafs to fit under the cap unless the 38-year-old is traded through a third team and would also necessitate either Morgan Rielly or Muzzin playing the right side.

Chicago’s Calvin deHaan is another veteran who could be on the move in the next nine days and is a stay-at-home type/penalty killer that Toronto needs, but the Hawks would have to retain at least 50% of his $4.55 million cap hit.

The Leafs made inquiries on Dallas defenseman John Klingberg last month when rumors of his availability were percolating, but the offensive-minded Swede may not be available now since the Stars are in the race for a Western Conference wildcard spot.

The most intriguing situation appears to be the pair of Anaheim expiring contracts in Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson. The Ducks reportedly are trying to re-sign the 28-year-old Lindholm, but will move him if they cannot reach an agreement. If Anaheim can get him extended, than it is likely that new GM Pat Verbeek will move Manson, who the Leafs have long coveted.

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