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The Maple Leafs have a critical game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, which would normally be the focal point of Toronto fans, but all attention will be on GM Dave Nonis and what moves he may be able to make before the 3pm trade deadline.
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In spite of a three game losing streak following the Olympic break, there is not a great hunger on the part of the Leafs to make a significant roster shakeup, but Nonis appears ready to take advantage of an opportunity, as he cleared salary cap room with the demotion of Frazer McLaren and Trevor Smith the last two days. This could provide enough room to add a depth forward capable of playing an enhanced role on a fourth line or a depth blueliner who could play more defensively sound down the stretch.
Here are a list of players who could be on the move before 3pm:
Nikolai Kulemin – An unrestricted free agent in July and one of the best two-way forwards on the club, the Leafs are unlikely to re-sign the 27-year-old unless he is willing to take a pay cut. Kulemin has scored just 22 goals in three seasons after scoring 30 in 2010-11, but has the versatility to play both wings, center, penalty killing, in a top six role or a checking role. Nonis may be willing to move Kulemin to recoup a pick traded in deals for Peter Holland and Jonathan Bernier or to move his $2.8 Million salary to clear cap space for a bigger deal.
Odds of being traded – 5 to 1
Mason Raymond – A extremely cost effective forward, the former Canuck might be attractive to teams up against the cap with his $1 Million salary, but Raymond has been one of the few secondary players on the Leafs to provide some scoring and the ability to fill a number of different roles throughout the season.
Odds of being traded – 15 to 1
Dave Bolland – A player that a number of contending teams would be salivating at the prospect of adding at the deadline if he were healthy. The two-time Stanley Cup winner’s reported salary demands could be a factor in Nonis being open to moving him before 3pm, but the ankle injury that has kept Bolland out since early November would limit the return to a conditional draft pick similar to what Dallas received from Anaheim for injured blueliner Stephane Robidas.
Odds of being traded - 25 to 1
Paul Ranger – The 28-year-old Whitby native has not played well for the Leafs in his return to the NHL, but has returned to the lineup over the last half dozen games with the Leafs playing seven defensemen. His low salary and physical tools might attract a team to take a flyer on the pending unrestricted free agent, but he would have to waive his no trade clause.
Odds of being traded – 30 to 1
James Reimer – The 25-year-old former starter is more likely to be moved in the summer after his three year, $5.4 Million contract expires, rather than at the deadline where the return would be slightly more than what Anaheim received for Viktor Fasth. If Nonis were to trade Reimer, it would mean going with Drew MacIntyre as the backup for the rest of the season or acquiring a backup before 3pm.
Odds of being traded – 50 to 1
Jake Gardiner – Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos mentioned Wednesday morning that the Leafs are shopping the defensively challenged but extremely talented blueliner, but as with Reimer, a trade involving the pending restricted free agent appears more likely at the NHL Draft, rather than before 3pm. If Gardiner is moved, it will be part of a larger deal or in a one-for-one for a player of comparable age who can help the Leafs immediately.
Odds of being traded – 100 to 1
This column will be updated throughout the day.
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