Toronto Maple Leafs: Potential Trade Deadline Deals

As the 2016 NHL trade deadline approaches on February 29, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have plenty of moves to make as their rebuild continues.

Lou Lamoriello and Brandan Shanahan will be in contact with almost every other team in the next week and a half in preparation for the trade deadline. Below is a list of potential players the Toronto Maple Leafs are likely to deal and where they may end up going.

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P.A. Parenteau LW (55 GP, 14 G, 15 A, -2)*

Parenteau signed a one-year deal at the beginning of this season for $1,500,000. He is currently having one of the best seasons of his career, and on pace to surpass his career high of 20 goals. He has also been quietly productive on the power play potting six goals and three assists. He can fill in as a top six forward if a team needs, or he can play on the power play, and has a miniscule cap hit.

Possible trade destinations:

New Jersey Devils: The Devils currently sit last in the league in scoring and have three left wingers injured right now: Michael Cammalleri, Patrik Elias, and Jiri Tlusty. They have no more depth up the left side. Parenteau could fill in on the first line until Cammalleri comes back, and then he can move down to the second line. Elias has been limited to just 13 games and Tlusty will be out another 3-4 months. The Devils currently hold the first wild card spot and if they wish to continue to stay in a playoff spot they are going to need as much scoring as they can get.

Vancouver Canucks: The Canucks are currently Canada’s best chance at getting into the playoffs this year. However, they are also at the bottom of the league in scoring, just above the Leafs and the Devils. They are also struggling on the power play scoring on just 17 percent of attempts. Alex Burrows has been struggling this year scoring just seven goals in 54 games. He has already been moved down to the third line in favour of rookie Sven Baertschi. Parenteau could give Vancouver the depth it needs at left wing and could also be used to help their power play.

Anaheim Ducks: Anaheim is sitting at second in the Pacific division and if they have any chance of catching up to the Los Angeles Kings they are going to need to increase their scoring as well. They are fourth worst in scoring and are using rookie Nick Ritchie at left wing on the second line who has only 13 games of experience. Parenteau could be the veteran body that they need to have any kind of playoff success.

Dec 5, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Roman Polak (46) in action during a game against the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center. Toronto won the game 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /

Roman Polak D (53 GP, 1 G, 11 A, +8)

Polak is in the last year of his contract, carries a cap hit of $2.75 million and is quietly having a decent season. He has put up a modest 12 points as a defensive defenceman. The Leafs are in the bottom ten for goals allowed and second last in goals scored, yet Polak still has managed to stay at a +8. Polak is a solid top six defenceman playing almost 20 minutes a night, and has the possibility to crack the top four if needed.

Possible Trade Destinations:

Arizona Coyotes: The Coyotes have surprised everyone this season and are sitting just four points out of the wildcard. They are in desperate need of help on the back end as they have allowed the fifth most goals in the league. Arizona has a ton of young talent and considering how cheap Polak is, they wont have to give up their young studs to get them and the Leafs can still walk away with a decent prospect.

Colorado Avalanche: Colorado is also in the bottom 10 in goals allowed and have lost veteran Brad Stuart to injury. They currently have rookie Chris Bigras in Stuart’s place and Polak could give the Avalanche the needed depth to hold the first wildcard spot in the west.

Leo Komarov C (55 GP, 18 G, 17 A, -1)

Komarov is the heart of the Leafs and was rewarded for it this year when he was named an All-Star for the first time. Although most fans will not want him to be dealt, his value has never been (and probably never will be) higher.

In 55 games this year, he has 36 points. In 104 games in the two years prior to this one, he has 36 points combined. Although he is under contract until the 2017-2018 season, this year will be the best year for him to go, especially with a cap hit just under $3 million. Also, Komarov has experience playing all three forward positions.

Possible Trade Destinations

Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers are just four points out of the wildcard spot and are in need of some more offense if they hope to make the playoffs. Sean Couturier will be out at least another three weeks and without a suitable replacement as their second line centre, they will quickly fall out of the playoff hunt. Komarov would slide perfectly into that spot and could move over to the wing to replace the struggling R.J. Umberger when Couturier returns. The Flyers only have $2.3 million left in cap space so the Leafs would have to take a contract off of their hands.

Carolina Hurricanes: Carolina is another playoff hopeful team that is struggling offensively. They are only two points out of the second wildcard spot. Komarov can fit anywhere on their second line and can even help their power play that is only converting on 16.9 percent of attempts.

Next: Leafs: The Long-Term Benefits of the Dion Phaneuf Trade

What do you think the Leafs should do at the NHL Trade Deadline? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

*All stats are prior to the NHL games on 18-02-16

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