Metropolitan Division defenseman could become top priority for the Leafs

On his appearance with SN590, Friedman was quoted as saying "I think the Leafs would like somebody with an edge... one of the guys I really wonder about, and they saw him firsthand in the bubble, was Gavrikov. That's a guy I've really kind of wondered if he's very high up on their list."

The Columbus Blue Jackets are currently sitting in last place in the Metropolitan Division with a 7-12-2 record after making the big splash that was the Johnny Gaudreau signing over the summer. They are also dealing with a lot of injuries as they have Patrik Laine, Jakub Voracek, Zack Werenski, Elvis Merzlikins, Jake Bean, Adam Boqvist, Justin Danforth, and Nick Blankenburg either on the IR or the LTIR.

Gavrikov will become an unrestricted free agent at season's end and is currently under contract for a low cap hit of $2.8 million. He represents a very cheap rental and the Blue Jackets could also retain some salary if need be. He checks off all the boxes that Friedman alluded to. The 27-year-old is coming off of a career year where he put up 5 goals and 33 points in 80 games and currently has 5 points in 21 games this season while averaging 22:55 TOI.

Friedman also noted in his 32 thoughts that "Toronto's on an excellent run despite a banged-up defense and goaltending that just recently returned to full health. The Maple Leafs are fourth in the NHL just weeks after we had an entire organization looking for new jobs. They have time to let this play out, but it's safe to say they will save their best assets for whatever they feel they might need on the blueline. There's a possibility of adding a left-shot scorer, but that's not the priority and I think they'd also like to show Matthew Knies there's a path when he's ready to leave NCAA Minnesota."

Gavrikov is going to be a hot commodity on the open market if and when the Blue Jackets decide to sell at the trade deadline. The Leafs know where their priorities lie. They want to shore up their defense no matter what - fully healthy or not - and Gavrikov fits the bill. If another opportunity arises for a better defenseman, the Maple Leafs have the arsenal of prospects and and ammunition of draft capital to get a deal done as well.

With Morgan Rielly, T.J. Brodie, Jake Muzzin, and Jordie Benn out of the lineup, they have won games at an surprising rate and just think what could happen at full health or if they decided to add another legit top-4 option to their current D corps.