Toronto Maple Leafs rumours: Nazem Kadri and Kasperi Kapanen on trade block

With the 2019 NHL Draft fast approaching it appears the Toronto Maple Leafs could be busy with Nazem Kadri and Kasperi Kapanen apparently on the trade block.

While the Toronto Maple Leafs do not have a first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, they could find themselves busy with a couple of players rumoured to be available on the trade market.

The latest speculation out there is that GM Kyle Dubas is listening to offers on Nazem Kadri and Kasperi Kapanen according to TSN’s Darren Dreger. Another name that is reportedly out there is Connor Brown who has been in rumours since the trade deadline as the team tries to make improvements to their blueline with limited cap space available.

TSN and the Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported that the Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes discussed a potential deal involving Kapanen and Brown for defenceman Brett Pesce which shouldn’t come as a surprise considering the needs both teams have.

Another interesting note from LeBrun is that the Vegas Golden Knights are looking to shed cap space and Colin Miller could is the main target for most teams. Obviously, the Leafs should be looking to acquire the right-handed defenceman who has three more years left on his deal at $3.875 million.

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What could make things easier for the Leafs is getting Nikita Zaitsev off their books. The Russian defenceman has struggled since signing his contract extension back in May of 2016 and there hasn’t been any updated interest about a deal being imminent but that could change with Erik Karlsson and Jacob Trouba off the market.

The Edmonton Oilers are one of the teams who were a rumoured destination for Zaitsev along with the Vancouver Canucks so hopefully, Dubas can make that a priority so that he can focus on Mitch Marner‘s contract and other trade targets.

When you look at the Leafs needs this off-season, they definitely need to address their defence with Travis Dermott out for the first month of the season. They could also use some depth down the middle which is probably the hardest thing to acquire but this is probably why we’re seeing Kapanen and Kadri’s names out there.