4 Defencemen Toronto Maple Leafs Could Pursue at NHL Trade Deadline

Following the acquisition of Brian Boyle from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, here’s a look at four defencemen the Toronto Maple Leafs could pursue ahead of Wednesday’s NHL Trade Deadline.

After putting Joffrey Lupul, Stephane Robidas and Nathan Horton on long-term injured reserve at the beginning of the season, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello finds himself with more than $10 million of cap space to work with ahead of Wednesday’s NHL Trade Deadline.

While there aren’t an abundance of options to choose from on the rental market, the Leafs are well equipped with an arsenal of resources that includes prospects, draft picks and expiring contracts. Meaning, Toronto is more than capable of pulling off just about any trade they desire.

Sticking to the long-term plan and staying the course is something this regime has stressed throughout the season, and while some would argue that acquiring a player like Boyle goes against that thought process, it’s clear they also value character and players who can help them build a winning culture in Toronto.

Though the organization is only in year two of their rebuild, the team is in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race and contending for a playoff spot could go a long ways to building a sustainable winning culture.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the Leafs are going to be “buyers” at the Trade Deadline, but it does put them in an interesting position where they can be extremely selective with what they not only decide to offer teams, but also with what they’re willing to accept.

Since the Leafs are playing with house money at this point in the season, it’s tough to project who they will pursue at the Trade Deadline, but here’s a look at four defencemen they could kick the tires on and possibly acquire.