The asking price has been set on one of the Leafs' potential trade deadline targets
With less than two months until the NHL's trade deadline, teams are coming to the point where they have a clearer picture of what their strengths and weaknesses are.
For the teams who appear likely to miss the playoffs, they'll begin making some players available in the coming weeks, if they haven't already. For the playoff contenders, they've likely already identified some potential targets that they feel can address a need for their organization.
One such player that many believe could be a fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs is 29-year-old Buffalo Sabres defenseman Colin Miller. The Leafs have been linked to Miller in past years, in terms of a potential interest, but for one reason or another, the stars just hadn't aligned for the Sault Ste. Marie native and former Soo Greyhound. Could this be the year?
According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Sabres are believed to be looking for a 1st round pick in return for Miller, no doubt a steep price for a stay-at-home defenseman who offers little in the way of offensive production. That said, the ask is often not the return, and if the Leafs do indeed elect to pursue Miller, he is likely to be brought in for less than the asking price.
Is there a fit for Miller in Toronto? Well, there is in the sense that he is a right handed defender - a position at which the Leafs could use an extra body, but I'm not necessarily convinced that Miller is the guy for the job, especially when there are other players who are likely to be made available who would likely provide a similar skill set at a fraction of the cost.
Miller carries a $3.875M cap hit and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. While the Sabres are likely willing to retain salary, that often comes with an additional cost. Someone like Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Justin Braun would provide a similar set of skills to Miller, and at just $1.8M, the Leafs would likely not require any money to be retained - and Braun could certainly be had for mid-round pick or a prospect, as the 34-year-old is a pending UFA who is unlikely to return to Philly next season.
