Trade deadline: Coach Craig Berube aspected $ 78.3 million contract including…see.. more
The Most Likely Trade Candidates for the Toronto Maple Leafs
A tough training camp might see some well-known players sent away because of the new coach and the young players vying for a squad position.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and the rest of the NHL are now focused on the start of training camp next month, having finished the majority of the offseason roster reorganizations.
Dismantling the core, particularly letting go of Mitch Marner and, to a lesser extent, John Tavares, despite their no-movement rights, was the major summer narrative surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Rather, it seems that the team’s administration is prepared to reassemble largely the same roster. There will still be other positions available.
The two most significant draft selections who will be vying for a spot on the roster are Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan, both of whom had excellent seasons with their junior clubs.
Veteran players will be attempting to keep the younger players from challenging their starting position when they return.
Position battles and lineup decisions will take precedence throughout the preseason with Craig Berube taking over as head coach and the defense seeing major changes. Which players might be transferred away if new faces prove they deserve a spot on the team?
The Most Likely Trade Candidates for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Limited-scope free agent Nick Robertson has previously expressed his desire for a shift in environment. When the attacking winger considers the depth of the Maple Leafs at forward, all he sees are obstacles to his progress.
Robertson is the Leafs’ most valuable trade addition, bar none. He also moves a top player. His quickness, shooting range, and offensive upside all alluring.
The most apparent trade option is him because of his expressed desire to go, but Treliving and the Maple Leafs should try to patch things up and persuade Robertson that he can start again with Berube.
A stalemate might develop in this circumstance. If required, is Robertson willing to take a protracted leave of absence? Will Treliving and the Leafs eventually get weary of waiting and fielding inquiries over Robertson’s status?
The Maple Leafs lose more negotiating power in a trade return the longer Robertson is sidelined. Robertson is the team’s top trade candidate because of the potentially complex nature of the situation.
Other Trade Candidates for the Leafs
Center of the fourth line David Kampf makes $2.4 million killing penalties, winning face-offs, and making minimal offensive contributions. That is excessive.
He is a costly piece of insurance. The Maple Leafs would be wise to move on if they can find a respectable third-line center to replace Kampf with Pontus Holmberg.
Timothy Liljegren signed a two-year extension with the Leafs, but it’s a very moveable contract. As he enters his fourth full year of regular duty on the team’s blue line it feels like it is now or never to cement his status as a top-four defender.
The addition of fellow Swede, and potential defensive partner, Oliver Ekman-Larsson plus a new beginning under Berube point to this being the last chance for Liljegren. If he is unable to find consistency and reliability in his play throughout the first half of the season, the Leafs should move him straight up for another defender or a forward who can help the bottom six.
