Insider links Leafs to top four defenseman and middle six forward out West

Hockey insider David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period has once again linked the Toronto Maple Leafs to the San Jose Sharks. Previously, Pagnotta linked the Leafs to both Anthony Duclair and Alexander Barabanov. Now, he has linked the Buds to two more names in Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro and forward Luke Kunin.

Ferraro has some term left on his current contract that extends into the next two seasons at an affordable $3.25M. He has been a mainstay on the Sharks top pairing and would be a great top-four option for the Maple Leafs. Ferraro plays a strong defensive game and could take some pressure off the current defensemen by eating plenty of minutes and killing penalties, something he already does in San Jose.

Meanwhile, Kunin is an RFA at the end of the season, who is currently on a deal with a cap hit of $2.75M. The 26-year-old all situations forward could be a solid middle-six addition for both the penalty kill and third line. As a natural righty, if utilized as a winger, he would slot confortably behind Mitch Marner and William Nylander. Kunin isn't the greatest in the face-off dot, but being a right hand shot, he could do draws on his strong side to take pressure off Max Domi. This would allow Toronto to utilize Robertson on his natural left side and give them another solid penalty killer with offensive upside.

Both Ferraro and Kunin may not be considered players who are top trade targets, but both players lead the Sharks in penalty killing and would bring a defense first play style that could benefit the Leafs. The question is, are they worth the 1st round pick that San Jose would likely be asking for, alongside other pieces?