The Toronto Maple Leafs want defensemen. So do many NHL groups, however the Buds now have the cap area to exit and commerce for one or two blueliners. Rumors have linked them to names like Calgary’s Nikita Zadorov, Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev, however there are extra D-men who might be moved by their present groups. Let’s check out a number of different gamers Leafs GM Brad Treliving might goal within the days and weeks to return.
1. Sean Walker, Philadelphia
The upstart Flyers have been more than happy with the play of Walker, who came to visit from the L.A. Kings in a commerce in the summertime. The 29-year-old is a right-shot defenseman averaging 21:16 of ice time with Philly this season, and though he’s not bodily imposing at 5-foot-11, Walker is inexpensive – his wage cap hit of $2.65 million could be a match for the Leafs – and he might be a pure rental participant, as he’s scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent on the finish of the yr.
Walker isn’t an offensive dynamo, however with seven assists and 10 factors in 21 video games this season, he’s nearly matched his output of 10 assists and 13 factors in 70 video games with the Kings final yr. He gained’t value a group a boatload of property, but when the Leafs intend on preserving him past this season, they could be extra prepared to step up and purchase him by (or, extra possible, earlier than) the commerce deadline.
2. Matt Dumba, Arizona
Many thought Dumba would’ve been among the many most coveted defensemen on the UFA market final summer time, however that didn’t occur, and the 29-year-old wound up signing a one-year, $3.9-million cope with the Coyotes. One other right-shot blueliner, he’s averaged 20:14 of ice time in 19 video games, and we don’t see him signing a long-term extension to stay in Arizona, so ‘Yotes GM Invoice Armstrong shall be dangling Dumba in commerce talks if he hasn’t accomplished so already.
Dumba’s offense has all however disappeared in recent times – it’s onerous to imagine he had a 36-assist, 50-point season again within the 2017-18 marketing campaign – however on a Maple Leafs group much better than the Coyotes, he might grow to be a 30-point-producer once more. Arizona gained’t be asking for an enormous haul in any commerce, however Dumba might be a good depth addition for a professional Stanley Cup contender.
Round Full Press Hockey
NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Pink Wings, Nashville Predators
NHL: Senators’ Proprietor Michael Andlauer Doesn’t Mince Phrases
PWHL: In Hainsight: Chevrie Appointed as Head Coach of Montreal’s PWHL Franchise
Full Press Hockey Weekly: Ep 74: Drama In Ottawa, McAvoy Suspended, NHL Rumors, and Extra!
PODCAST: Ultimate Phrase on Hockey – S5Ep7 – Winnipeg Jets Shock The Hockey World
WANT MORE PODCASTS? Verify Out Some Of The Newest From Round The FPC Community
3. Ryan McDonagh, Nashville
We’ll be the primary to inform you that is the longest shot of the three gamers on this checklist, particularly now that the Predators are within the midst of a sizzling streak and aiming to lock down a playoff berth. As well as, McDonagh’s superior age (34) and dear contract standing ($6.75 million cap hit by way of the 2025-26 season) make him a lot more durable to swing a deal for. But when Treliving desires a veteran with a championship pedigree, he might do a lot worse than McDonagh. The 34-year-old has a no-trade clause in his contract, however he’s already waived it as soon as to return to Nashville, so it’s attainable he waives it once more.
McDonagh is not in his prime, however he has averaged 20:11 per recreation this yr, and as a second-pair D-man, he’d be an enchancment on what the Leafs have in that spot right now. The Leafs must transfer out some cash to make a deal match below the cap, however the place there’s a will, there’s a approach. Enjoying for Toronto might be the final, greatest shot at a Cup win for McDonagh, and that could be the deciding think about getting a deal accomplished for him.
