Toronto Maple Leafs: Five logical trade partners to help improve the team

TORONTO - NOVEMBER 20: A general view of action during the NHL game between the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on November 20, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario. The Maple Leafs beat the Islanders 4-2.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
TORONTO - NOVEMBER 20: A general view of action during the NHL game between the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on November 20, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario. The Maple Leafs beat the Islanders 4-2.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images) /
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KELOWNA, CANADA – OCTOBER 14: Nick Merkley
KELOWNA, CANADA – OCTOBER 14: Nick Merkley /

Carolina Hurricanes

Looking at the Hurricanes, they are in a similar situation as the Ducks, they have a talented blueline but their forwards are not at the same level.

A player like Haydn Fleury who has been talked about on Hockey Central is one that could only cost the Leafs a secondary scoring option. Fleury is a strong skater, and he uses his size to play in a shutdown role but does not have the offensive instincts to make him an option on the powerplay.

There was also the idea of trading Mitch Marner for a Justin Faulk, however, the Leafs are in no position to trade a player they believe to be a key part of their future. Faulk is not as strong of a defensive option than Fleury is, but he is a confident player wit the puck and is a strong producer on the powerplay.

Fleury has another season of his entry-level contract while Faulk is signed for two more years after this season at just under $5-million a season ($4,833,333) to be exact. If the Leafs were looking to make a move that would help out the team now and going forward, Fleury would be the more ideal option.