Hockey Insider names some potential targets for the Leafs, but cautions that it's still early

Johnston tossed out a few names, admittedly just because they're pending UFA's whose teams would likely try to avoid losing them for nothing, including Montreal's Ben Chiarot and Anaheim's Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson on defense, and potentially someone like Rickard Rakell at forward.

The real message Johnston wanted to send is that this season differs from the rest. With some teams having played less than 30 games, CJ pointed out that many teams have not yet reached the point of assessing team needs for a playoff run.

"I don't get the feeling that the trade market is that formed yet," Johnston said. "I mean, obviously we can identify a few players that are likely to move, just because of their contract status and they're on organizations going nowhere.

"I don't get the sense that all the dance partners have lined up just yet."

So, while many of us are getting antsy and wondering which players our teams may target, we should also recognize that the trade deadline is further back than it would normally be, so we may have to exercise a little patience because it could still be awhile before the rumour mill really starts spinning.