Breaking down the Maple Leafs into commerce classes: Who would keep, who would go?

TORONTO — When your tires are spinning just like the Toronto Maple Leafs’ are at current, you’re determined to seek out any path that gives grip.

In reality, Toronto’s finest likelihood to rise above the .500 file it possesses has already introduced itself. Since Joseph Woll debuted Nov. 15, Toronto’s .916 group save share is tied for fifth within the NHL.

Good goaltending papers over numerous issues, and if Woll retains enjoying the way in which he has, the Leafs can have an opportunity most nights.

Still, there are 5 different guys on the ice — and lots of extra on the roster as a complete — who want to tug their weight.

When that’s not occurring, two extremes come up: firing the coach and making a commerce.

Coach Craig Berube will not be bulletproof — what bench boss really is? — however except issues actually go off the rails, it’s laborious to see administration reaching for that lever — a minimum of not but.

That leaves swinging a deal as one potential option to shake issues up and get the group transferring in proper course.

If you want a reminder about how uninspiring the commerce scene has been, think about the very fact essentially the most notable in-season transfer we’ve seen is probably going Vancouver buying Lukas Reichel from Chicago for a fourth-round choose. Put one other means, essentially the most motion we’ve witnessed is a fourth for a dude who’s already been healthy-scratched in his new house.

Still, with early-season commerce boards starting to populate the Internet and the NHL vacation roster freeze fewer than three weeks away, it’s not unreasonable to dream of some motion.

Some Leafs backers have most likely been sketching out swaps for a month now.

Although any deal that will get drawn on a serviette might be a whopper, we’ve acquired to wet-blanket this dialog a bit and keep in mind that a extreme shakeup may be very unlikely. Between commerce safety for gamers, the problem of creating salaries match and discovering a dance accomplice who wants what you’re promoting, it’s only a excessive bar to clear.

Still, everyone knows that’s not going to cease individuals from questioning what’s doable.

To assist with that, we determined to fit significant Buds gamers into classes that seize what their relationship to commerce discuss must be. To be clear, that is viewing the group by way of the lens of a membership that’s making an attempt to enhance and climb up the standings. If the Leafs nosedive earlier than the vacation freeze, we are able to modify the dialog accordingly after Christmas. 

We can maintain this beautiful quick. If anybody apart from Rielly was dealt from this group, it could characterize as a giant a transaction shock on the Toronto sports activities scene as we’ve seen for the reason that Raptors acquired Kawhi Leonard for DeMar DeRozan in 2018. 

Rielly’s identify has lived on the outer fringe of commerce boards as a result of his play has typically not lived as much as his $7.5-million cap hit previously couple years. This season, although, he’s monitoring a 68-point yr (simply 4 shy of his career-best 72) and enjoying a team-high 22:17 per night time. It’s extraordinarily tough to see the place the components would line up on a Rielly commerce that improves the Leafs.

Veteran D-men with critical or some commerce safety: Chris Tanev, Jake McCabe, Oliver Ekman-Larsson

All of those gamers inked offers with Toronto previously 18 months. Tanev has a full no-move clause, McCabe has a no-trade clause and OEL can block a transfer to half the league. McCabe averages the second-most ice time on the blueline (21:30) and Ekman-Larsson is correct behind, at 20:46. The latter can be on tempo for 68 factors, which might smash his profession excessive of 55. 

Tanev, who’s injured, was signed to be the kind of shutdown D-man the group desperately wants within the playoffs.

None of those gamers are real looking candidates to be moved, even when the group had free rein to take action. 

Young guys you probably did properly to seek out: Matthew Knies, Easton Cowan

Two of the perfect issues Toronto has completed previously 5 years is draft Knies close to the tip of the second spherical and Cowan close to the conclusion of the primary. Knies is the kind of big-bodied scorer each membership covets, whereas Cowan is exhibiting — with every passing sport — his motor already makes him a worthwhile middle-sixer whose offensive sport can have some runway to develop.

The reality 31 different groups would line as much as snag Knies tells you ways worthwhile he’s to the Leafs, and if Cowan’s on-ice contributions — and potential to enhance — aren’t sufficient, he’s on a cost-capped, entry-level contract for 2 extra years after this one.

You’d must be dangerously determined to enhance this season to commerce these guys for quick assist. 

Stolarz — who’s been out for a month — completed fifth in Vezina voting final season and Woll has been Toronto’s most necessary participant since he debuted on Nov. 15. These two won’t ever be mistaken for Glenn Hall (502 straight consecutive video games within the crease, children), however they’re on the centre of any hopes Toronto has to show issues round.

It actually appears like Stolarz’s return is something however imminent, so the Leafs have most likely by no means wanted Woll greater than they do proper now. 

The contract means he’s staying: Max Domi, Dakota Joshua

It’s been a depressing season for Domi, one which’s approaching the heels of a 33-point exhibiting final yr. With two extra years to go at a cap hit of $3.75 million, Domi shouldn’t be going wherever. For what it’s value, Domi nonetheless brings some intangibles the membership advantages from at occasions, however his manufacturing has been headed the improper means for some time.

Joshua has had bother discovering his spot with the Leafs after Toronto acquired him for a fourth-rounder in the summertime from Vancouver. With two extra years after this one at a $3.25-million annual hit, he’d be powerful to maneuver. The Buds simply want him to play to his big-man id and hope he finds his place.

New(ish) guys who’ve but to actually mix: Brandon Carlo, Scott Laughton, Nicolas Roy

Carlo now seems to be out long-term, so it’s most likely finest to simply desk that discuss all collectively.

Toronto was linked Laughton for a number of seasons earlier than he lastly landed eventually season’s commerce deadline. Roy, in the meantime, came to visit in the summertime as a part of the transaction that landed Mitch Marner in Vegas on an eight-year deal in the future earlier than free company formally opened.

It appears like Toronto has been perpetually in quest of bottom-six centres like Laughton and Roy, however neither has been a dream match. Laughton is within the closing yr of a small cap hit ($1.5 million) due to wage retention from the Flyers, whereas Roy has just one extra season after this at $3 million. 

You may see different groups having some curiosity based mostly on each gamers’ observe file, however Toronto would virtually actually want a bottom-six pivot in return, and what number of good ones have the same cap hit to Laughton’s?

Too helpful to commerce? Simon Benoit, Steven Lorentz, Troy Stecher

None of those guys are going to place you excessive, however they embrace their help position and do it properly on a budget. How a lot potential is there for an improve? The lately acquired Stetcher figures to be an necessary man now with Carlo on the shelf long-term.

Futures: Undesirable draft picks, Ben Danford

As it stands, Toronto doesn’t have a first-round choose in 2026 or ’27 and isn’t slated to choose this coming June till the third spherical. How a lot additional are you able to deplete your picks pile?

Also, with the likes of Fraser Minten already moved eventually season’s deadline, defenceman Ben Danford — who stands a great likelihood to characterize Canada on the 2026 World Junior Championship later this month — form of stands alone when it comes to being a Leafs prospect others would want. 

Again, with the farm system already harvested so closely, how unhealthy do you wish to deal your one remaining shiny prospect? It must be for a participant nonetheless firmly in his prime.

Players who may need extra worth to a group apart from Toronto: Nick Robertson, Bobby McMann, Matias Maccelli

Finally, we land within the realm of real looking commerce prospects. Still, don’t go dreaming of the moon right here.

Maccelli has simply not been a match, as evidenced by his wholesome scratches. The saving grace is he’s within the closing yr of his contract, continues to be solely 25 and has a 57-point season on his resume. If there’s a taker, it’s most likely a bottom-feeder that is aware of it can provide him a number of rope or a fringy playoff group just like the Seattle Kraken who want all of the offensive assist they will get and is perhaps prepared to take a five-month gamble. 

Now, simply because it’s conceivable you may transfer Maccelli doesn’t imply the return can be any nice shakes. 

For no matter motive, Bobby McMann has by no means appeared to totally achieve Berube’s approval. He’s a giant physique who can chip in targets and is on a deal that makes him a UFA in July. That may maintain some curiosity to a group that wishes to beef up or that believes there’s nonetheless one other gear to go for the 29-year-old.

Untapped potential is actually the theme with Robertson, who would possibly maintain essentially the most commerce attraction of any participant Toronto may feasibly dangle. The 24-year-old has clearly been in commerce talks earlier than and landed again with the Leafs on a one-year deal that sees him turn out to be an RFA at yr’s finish. 

To put a high-quality level on the kind of commerce Toronto could possibly make, would a group like San Jose — fairly aggressive this season, however nonetheless in a construct — be fascinated about Roberton’s long-term goal-scoring potential in trade for a recognized commodity like centre Alex Wennberg? Two years in the past, the Rangers acquired Wennberg from Seattle on the deadline to buttress their centre depth and he inked a two-year take care of the Sharks in the summertime of 2024 to be a gradual hand on a younger membership. 

Maybe a deal like that pursuits each events? Still, the Sharks’ sudden rise this yr — and potential reluctance to mess with their success — underscores the truth that, for a wide range of causes, it’s simply actually powerful for groups to swing trades proper now.

Even if Toronto could make one, it’s unlikely to be the kind that shakes the bottom below Scotiabank Arena.