Three potential trade deadline targets for the Leafs
Prior to the start of the 2021-22 season, there was a lot of talk about how the Toronto Maple Leafs could struggle this year, returning from last season's North Division - which some had viewed as a "Mickey Mouse" division last year - to a very tough Atlantic Division with at least 3 very good hockey teams in Tampa, Florida and Boston.
While some of the doubt seemed warranted after the Leafs dropped a 3-1 series lead against the Montreal Canadiens in the 2021 playoffs, the Buds look like a much improved team on both sides of the puck this season, sitting just 1 point back of the Washington Capitals for the league lead.
As long as the Leafs do not begin to slide in the standings, I think we can anticipate them being buyers at the trade deadline. Today, we'll take a look at some of the rental options that could be a fit for Toronto.
Tomas Hertl - C/LW
The San Jose Sharks forward is in the final year of a 4-year, $22.5M deal and carries a $5.625M cap hit. While the 28-year-old does have a modified no-trade clause in his contract, if the Leafs are in a position where they're entering the postseason as one of the top seeds, perhaps Hertl would agree to put Toronto on his list of 3 teams that he would accept a trade to.
If the Leafs don't end up moving any money out this season, they may require a broker team to enter the deal to help facilitate a double-retention in order to make the money work, but as we saw with the Nick Foligno deal last deadline, it's entirely possible.
In 30 games with the Sharks this season, Hertl has produced well, scoring 14 goals and adding 8 assists for 22 points over that span. His dual position eligibility is also an asset.
Filip Forsberg - LW
Much like Hertl, Filip Forsberg would likely require a third team entering the fray to assist the Leafs with a double salary retention at the cost of a pick or a prospect to make the money work. The 27-year-old Preds winger is a pending unrestricted free agent and has a $6M cap hit this season.
There has been a lot of talk about the Leafs needing another top six winger this season, and although Michael Bunting has been a strong addition on the left side, there's no denying that a dynamic scoring winger like Forsberg wouldn't drastically improve the Leafs' top six. In 21 games with Nashville this season, Forsberg has produced over a point-per-game, with 22 points.
The one concern with Forsberg is his health, as the Swede has not played a full season since 2016-17. If healthy at the deadline, Forsberg could be a prime target for Kyle Dubas.
Josh Manson - D
If the Leafs are looking to bolster the right side on defense at the deadline, they need not look any further than the 30-year-old Josh Manson in Anaheim. Manson, also pending UFA, is a hard-hitting, competitive blueliner who will have the opposition looking over their shoulder in the defensive zone, keeping everyone honest.
His father, Dave Manson, was as nasty as they come, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, as they say. Manson's father also played for the Leafs at the tail end of his career in the early 2000's.
While Manson is not going to light the opposition up on the scoresheet, he would certainly make his presence felt during the playoffs, where the games get a lot tougher and the whistles are blown with far less frequency.
In 32 games with the Anaheim Ducks this season, Manson has registered just 6 points, but has racked up 43 penalty minutes and carries a +2 rating. His cap hit is a little over $4M per season.
Leafs GM Kyle Dubas may not have the space to make multiple impact moves at the deadline, but if he targets any one of these 3 players, the Leafs will have a very good chance at getting past the first round for the first time in almost 2 decades.
