Leafs reporter identifies which prospect the team is considering using as a valuable trade chip

There's still a need for an additional right-shot D in Toronto and there have also been reports in recent weeks that the Leafs are also looking to upgrade up front, in the top-9. With any trade, you're always wondering which pieces will be going out and while most teams have set their sights on Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten in Toronto as potential trade chips, the Leafs have been steadfast in not wanting to deal either prospect. There is another intriguing prospect, however, that the Leafs may be looking to part with.

Per The Leafs Nation's Nick Alberga, the Leafs have told teams that they're not budging on the fact that Cowan and Minten are untouchables, but they will consider moving Ryan Tverberg.

Tverberg may be a former 7th round pick, but he appears to have a lot of tools that will translate well to the NHL level. First of all, he is a dogged worker who never quits on a play. After having produced 28 points in 35 games in his first full season as a pro, it's also becoming abundantly clear that he can be an offensive contributor at the pro level.

At just 22 years of age, Tverberg still has room to grow and tons of potential and while most wouldn't necessarily consider him a top prospect, he's certainly an intriguing piece with a lot of qualities that teams may covet. He's not overly large, at 5'11 and 187 lbs, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in heart and determination.

Former Leafs prospect Mikhail Abramov was dealt in a package to land Ryan O'Reilly last year, so think of Tverberg in that next tier of prospects. Not quite a top prospect, but still a quality piece that would carry decent value in a package for a player the Leafs can use to help them win now.

We're now just one week away from the trade deadline, so it will be interesting to see what the Leafs have up their sleeve within the next 7 days.