Maple Leafs Trade Deadline Outlook
Posted 11:50 AM ET | Comments 1
Luke D
With the trade deadline being one month away, the time is right to speculate about what's to come by deadline day.
As most of us know, the Maple Leafs are clearly sellers but to what degree; will they ship out players like Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul or are they more focused on shipping out players with expiring contracts? I am not one hundred percent sure about the trades that could occur at the deadline but from my perspective, the Leafs could actually make some major moves at the deadline. With that being said, here is the outlook
Players most likely to be moved
PA Parenteau
What is he worth: 2nd round pick
Outlook: After a rough season with Montreal last year, PA Parenteau has bounced back with the Maple Leafs, producing at an average second line scoring rate with 11 goals, 12 assists for 23 points in 44 games. Because of his numbers, PA could be a great addition to teams who are looking for some extra scoring depth on the second or third line to make that final push for the playoffs.
Michael Grabner
What is he worth: 3rd-5th round pick
Outlook: Injury plagued seasons have made Michael Grabner lose his scoring touch and that trend is continuing this season with 6 goals, 5 assists for 11 points in 42 games. However, he could still be a good addition to a good team that is defensive minded because he is a great penalty killer who has tremendous speed and he is always a plus player regardless of the team he currently plays for. He would be a good 4th Liner on any good team.
Shawn Matthias
What is he worth: 3rd-4th round pick
Outlook: Shawn Matthias has been his usual self and a good role player for the Maple Leafs, scoring 4 goals, 10 assists for 14 points in 45 games. Also, he can play on the wing or at center and he is a decent penalty killer as well. He could be useful to any playoff team that is looking for an excellent fourth line forward who could play on the third line if needed.
Roman Polak
What is he worth: 3rd-4th round pick
Outlook: Roman Polak is type of defenseman any good team would love to have. He is physical, can play on the penalty kill, is decent defensively, he has a great slap shot and he is a right handed shot as well. He could be useful to a team looking to add toughness and defensive depth to their lineup.
Jonathan Bernier
What is he worth: 3rd-6th round pick
Outlook: Jonathan Bernier has been horrible this season without a doubt. His .899 SV% and 3.13 GAA are among the league's worst and to thanks to James Reimer's stellar play this year, he has lost the starters role and Mike Babcock's trust. Also, Bernier is under 6'3 so that does not help either. Unless if a team still sees untapped potential in Bernier or is desperate for a goaltender, the Leafs will be stuck with Bernier for one more year.
Daniel Winnik
What is he worth: 3rd-5th round pick
Outlook: Daniel Winnik has been his usual self and a good role player for the Maple Leafs, scoring 3 goals and 8 assists for 11 points in 43 games. Also, he is a great penalty killer and a good defensive forward. He could be a good addition to any playoff team that is looking to add a fourth line or third line defensive foward.
Players that could be moved close to the deadline or in the offseason
Joffrey Lupul
What is he worth: A 3rd-5th round pick or nothing at all (potential buyout)
Outlook: Joffrey Lupul's injury problems and old age finally got to him as he only has 11 goals and 3 assists for 14 points in 43 games; therefore, he is now a fourth/third line forward making $5.25 million for the next couple of years. Also, he is now only playing fourth/third line minutes because of his production. Overall, he would not be useful to any team and if teams are not willing to trade for him, the Maple Leafs should buy him out in the offseason because he only has two more years left on his deal and his buyout would free up a ton of cap space.
Tyler Bozak
What is he worth: A late 1st-mid level 2nd round pick, maybe a B prospect or 2
Who wants him: Nashville, Calgary, Anaheim
Outlook:
Dion Phaneuf
What is he worth: A late 1st-an early 2nd round pick, maybe a B prospect or 2
Who wants him: Dallas, San Jose, Detroit and maybe Los Angeles
Outlook:
Between the deadline and the offseason, the Maple Leafs WILL certainly and BETTER move pretty much all of the players listed above (except for Dion Phaneuf) but there are a few other players that have been listed in trade rumours that were not discussed. Those players are Nazem Kadri, James van Riemsdyk, Jake Gardiner, James Reimer and Leo Komarov.
They were not mentioned because they will most likely not get traded, they are all young enough for the rebuild and they will be good, useful veterans in the future. The only way JVR gets traded is if the player coming back is a proven, top pairing defensemen on any contending team that is JVR's age or younger.
With the trade deadline being one month away, the time is right to speculate about what's to come by deadline day.
As most of us know, the Maple Leafs are clearly sellers but to what degree; will they ship out players like Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul or are they more focused on shipping out players with expiring contracts? I am not one hundred percent sure about the trades that could occur at the deadline but from my perspective, the Leafs could actually make some major moves at the deadline. With that being said, here is the outlook
Players most likely to be moved
PA Parenteau
What is he worth: 2nd round pick
Outlook: After a rough season with Montreal last year, PA Parenteau has bounced back with the Maple Leafs, producing at an average second line scoring rate with 11 goals, 12 assists for 23 points in 44 games. Because of his numbers, PA could be a great addition to teams who are looking for some extra scoring depth on the second or third line to make that final push for the playoffs.
Michael Grabner
What is he worth: 3rd-5th round pick
Outlook: Injury plagued seasons have made Michael Grabner lose his scoring touch and that trend is continuing this season with 6 goals, 5 assists for 11 points in 42 games. However, he could still be a good addition to a good team that is defensive minded because he is a great penalty killer who has tremendous speed and he is always a plus player regardless of the team he currently plays for. He would be a good 4th Liner on any good team.
Shawn Matthias
What is he worth: 3rd-4th round pick
Outlook: Shawn Matthias has been his usual self and a good role player for the Maple Leafs, scoring 4 goals, 10 assists for 14 points in 45 games. Also, he can play on the wing or at center and he is a decent penalty killer as well. He could be useful to any playoff team that is looking for an excellent fourth line forward who could play on the third line if needed.
Roman Polak
What is he worth: 3rd-4th round pick
Outlook: Roman Polak is type of defenseman any good team would love to have. He is physical, can play on the penalty kill, is decent defensively, he has a great slap shot and he is a right handed shot as well. He could be useful to a team looking to add toughness and defensive depth to their lineup.
Jonathan Bernier
What is he worth: 3rd-6th round pick
Outlook: Jonathan Bernier has been horrible this season without a doubt. His .899 SV% and 3.13 GAA are among the league's worst and to thanks to James Reimer's stellar play this year, he has lost the starters role and Mike Babcock's trust. Also, Bernier is under 6'3 so that does not help either. Unless if a team still sees untapped potential in Bernier or is desperate for a goaltender, the Leafs will be stuck with Bernier for one more year.
Daniel Winnik
What is he worth: 3rd-5th round pick
Outlook: Daniel Winnik has been his usual self and a good role player for the Maple Leafs, scoring 3 goals and 8 assists for 11 points in 43 games. Also, he is a great penalty killer and a good defensive forward. He could be a good addition to any playoff team that is looking to add a fourth line or third line defensive foward.
Players that could be moved close to the deadline or in the offseason
Joffrey Lupul
What is he worth: A 3rd-5th round pick or nothing at all (potential buyout)
Outlook: Joffrey Lupul's injury problems and old age finally got to him as he only has 11 goals and 3 assists for 14 points in 43 games; therefore, he is now a fourth/third line forward making $5.25 million for the next couple of years. Also, he is now only playing fourth/third line minutes because of his production. Overall, he would not be useful to any team and if teams are not willing to trade for him, the Maple Leafs should buy him out in the offseason because he only has two more years left on his deal and his buyout would free up a ton of cap space.
Tyler Bozak
What is he worth: A late 1st-mid level 2nd round pick, maybe a B prospect or 2
Who wants him: Nashville, Calgary, Anaheim
Outlook:
Dion Phaneuf
What is he worth: A late 1st-an early 2nd round pick, maybe a B prospect or 2
Who wants him: Dallas, San Jose, Detroit and maybe Los Angeles
Outlook:
Between the deadline and the offseason, the Maple Leafs WILL certainly and BETTER move pretty much all of the players listed above (except for Dion Phaneuf) but there are a few other players that have been listed in trade rumours that were not discussed. Those players are Nazem Kadri, James van Riemsdyk, Jake Gardiner, James Reimer and Leo Komarov.
They were not mentioned because they will most likely not get traded, they are all young enough for the rebuild and they will be good, useful veterans in the future. The only way JVR gets traded is if the player coming back is a proven, top pairing defensemen on any contending team that is JVR's age or younger.
Honestly I think Polak could net a 2nd but not bad otherwise, though doubting anyone is going to really be after Grabner, or Lupul, and even possibly Winnik given his struggles this season though lately he has looked better. I can see moving Bozak, or possibly Kadri. I think Bernier and or Reimer are moved. Depends on how much for how long Reims wants in their talks here. Phaneuf maybe but that COULD be a deal for the summer even. One thing is for sure this is gonna be interesting to see what Uncle Lou can do.