NHL Insider provides an updated list of potential Leafs deadline trade targets on the blueline
With marquee forwards coming off the trade block, the market for defensemen should heat up with only a few days remaining before March 3rd trade deadline. Timo Meier was just traded to New Jersey, Patrick Kane should be going to the New York Rangers, and we've already seen moves completed for Ryan O'Reilly, Bo Horvat, and Vladimir Tarasenko.
Now it's time for the defensemen to get moved with notables like Jakob Chychrun, Erik Karlsson, Vladislav Gavrikov, and Jake McCabe still available. NHL insider, Elliotte Friedman made mention on Sportsnet that the Toronto Maple Leafs should be targeting players like Gavrikov, Nicklas jensen, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Luke Schenn, Radko Gudas, Scott Mayfield, and even John Klingberg.
The Capitals are apparently selling and Jensen and van Riemsdyk are two of several defensemen that are playing on expiring contracts and are currently holding a 2.5 million and 950,000$ AAV, respectively.
Schenn was recently withheld from the Canucks lineup in anticipation of a trade and the Leafs have been rumoured for a homecoming for their former first round pick in 2008. Gudas is another interesting target with the Florida Panthers fighting for a playoff spot but only holding at 2.5 million AAV.
Then he specifically said that Scott Mayfield and John Klingberg are potential targets because the Leafs had interest in the latter but he doesn't see the New York Islanders moving on from the former just yet - unless the price was right.
Whatever the case, the Leafs who are looking to solidify their backend now have plenty of options with most contending counterparts going forward heavy. Whether they go after the bigger fish in Gavrikov or smaller depth moves like Gudas or Jensen, the Leafs have options and should strike within the next few days.
