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

Calgary Flames

The Flames won’t be severely impacted by the expansion draft, because they do not have many assets that will need to be protected. They will likely protect seven forwards, three defencemen and a goalie for the draft.

Troy Brouwer, Michael Frolik, Matt Stajan and Mark Giordano will have to be protected, because of their NTC. You can then expect Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, Sam Bennett, Dougie Hamilton and T.J. Brodie to also be protected.

Then the team will have to look at players like Mikael Backlund, Lance Bouma, Micheal Ferland and Alex Chiasson as possible candidates for the final spot on the list. Jyrki Jokipakka, Tyler Wotherspoon, Ryan Culkin and Brett Kulak are players that could be left for the Las Vegas team to draft.

While that is not an appealing list, there have been rumours about teams calling for Hamilton and if he becomes available the Leafs should be calling them. Jokipaaka is an interesting name the Leafs could call about if Calgary does not want to lose him in the expansion draft.

Jokipaaka owns a big frame, has strong defensive instincts and does not make many mistakes in the defensive zone. He would be a strong candidate the Leafs could realistically get without giving up too much.