Toronto Maple Leafs: 4 Potential Trade Partners to Improve the Blueline
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks are the most logical trading partner for the Leafs if they want to improve their defence. Anaheim has a strong pool of defencemen both at the NHL level and in the minors which they could move in order to improve their offence up front.
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When it comes to the expansion draft, this is the likely list of players that will be protected: Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, Jakob Silverberg, Rickard Rakell, Andrew Cogliano, Antoine Vermette, Kevin Bieksa, Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm.
This means that defencemen like Cam Fowler, Clayton Stoner and Josh Manson will be exposed to the draft. Fowler has been linked to the Leafs as he has been labeled as the odd man out in Anaheim, but he is not the only one they should be interested in.
Shea Theodore, Brandon Montour, and Jacob Larsson are top quality defensive prospects that would be great additions for the Leafs. It would take a significant offer to make Anaheim part with one of the, but at some point they will need to address their issues up front.
Anaheim have tried to add scoring depth for years, but have not found the right mix to get them back to the Stanley Cup Final. Montour would be a nice addition to the Leafs.
At 22-years old, he is a more physical and aggressive player with strong skating and puck moving. He may never get the opportunity to play in a big-time role with Anaheim, which is why the Leafs should be calling to bring him into a lineup that does not have the depth to compete right now.
Larsson is a strong mobile defenceman that has played big minutes at many levels like the World Junior Championships. The Ducks are in no rush to bring him to the NHL like Montour, but if he can add muscle and continues to play a smart game he could be another player to consider.
Next: Looking at the Leafs' depth chart
It is tough to expect the Leafs to make a move for a defencemen, because there not many teams that have the depth to trade away. This is why they need to continue drafting and developing defencemen, while exploring other options to bring in better quality defencemen.
Right now it is tough to expect a trade to go down. However, maybe at the trade deadline or before the expansion draft, the Leafs could try to kick tires on making improvements on the blueline.