Toronto Maple Leafs: 4 Potential Trade Partners to Improve the Blueline

Nov 12, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) juggles the puck on his stick before playing the Pittsburgh Penguins at the PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) juggles the puck on his stick before playing the Pittsburgh Penguins at the PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Nov 12, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) juggles the puck on his stick before playing the Pittsburgh Penguins at the PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

With the Toronto Maple Leafs needing to upgrade the blueline, we look at four teams that have players who could be targets at some point this season or in the offseason.

Going into this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs had one thing going in their favour: Low expectations, where the emphasis was on developing rather than trying to make the playoffs.

With the rookies leading the way, there is optimism towards the future of the Leafs, but the team’s defensive struggles has been a hot topic and for good reason. The team has a strong core of young forwards, but when you look at the defence there is a drop off in talent.

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Morgan Rielly, and Nikita Zaitsev have had their ups and downs this season, but they are a key component to the defence. Connor Carrick still has some growing to do but is on the right path, while Jake Gardiner still has his inconsistencies.

After those four Martin Marincin, Matt Hunwick, Roman Polak and Frankie Corrado look like  they have no future with this team. There is no solution with the Toronto Marlies at this moment, with Andrew Nielsen, Rinat Valiev and Travis Dermott not at a point where they are ready to make the jump the NHL.

Going forward, it would be wise for the Leafs to see what other teams could have to offer on the blueline. With the upcoming expansion draft, teams will have to make tough decisions where players are left unprotected or have to be traded. Here is a list of teams the Leafs could look at as trade partners to improve the defence.