Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres: Trade Value Rankings Part 4
By Brad Vos
A Toronto Maple Leafs player makes the list
(30) John Carlson – WSH (Age: 30/Cap Hit: $8.0M/6 Years Left)
The Capitals’ lanky defenseman is what you want in the modern NHL. Carlson can moe the puck and racks up points at an impressive clip.
In 2019-20, the big fellow recorded 75 points in 68 games, which not only led all defensemen but also ranked 12th in the entire league. This is nothing new for the 11-year veteran, as he has amassed at least 68 points in three consecutive seasons.
Carlson is entering the third year of an eight-year contract extension that pays him $8 million annually. The Massachusetts native is a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman.
(29) Mitchell Marner – TOR (Age: 23/ Cap Hit: $10.893M/5 Years Left)
We have landed on the first Toronto Maple Leafs player in the Top 50 in Mitchell Marner. The Markham native is an absurdly talented playmaker and is still just 23 years old.
After destroying the OHL with the London Knights, Marner debuted with Toronto in the 2016-17 season. Since then, Mitch has recorded 291 points in 300 career NHL games.
The diminutive winger has also been remarkably durable during his NHL career, having missed just 16 of a possible 316 games for the Buds. Marner has drawn the ire of many frustrated Toronto Maple Leafs fans at times (myself included) for being overplayed relative to his playoff output.
In 25 career playoff games, Marner has recorded 21 points, but his game is not all that conducive to postseason success. He does not play with much physicality and generally relies on hanging outside of the dirty areas.
While the Leafs would undoubtedly fetch a lot in any deal for Marner, General Manager Kyle Dubas sure seems committed to keeping him and the other top Maple Leafs forwards and plugging holes elsewhere on the roster.
The right winger’s cap hit is a lot to swallow, at $10.893 million over the next five seasons. There is no question the former fourth overall pick is one of the most talented players in the entire league. Whether he can help the Toronto Maple Leafs to get over their playoff hurdle remains to be seen.at
(28) Patrik Laine – WPG (Age: 22/Cap Hit: $6.75M/1 Year Left)
Patrik Laine can put the puck in the net with the best in the league. Since joining the Winnipeg Jets in the 2016-17 season, the former second overall draft pick has lit the lamp 138 times in 305 career games.
Similar to Marner, his play has tailed off in the playoffs, though. In 24 career postseason games, the Finn has recorded just eight goals and eight assists. This has led to recent rumours that the Jets are listening on offers for Laine.
He would be a tremendous pickup for any team, given he just turned 22 years old. Where is gets interesting for any potential suitor is that Laine has only one year left on a bridge deal he signed, with a cap hit of $6.75. He is going to be looking for a massive payday when there is economic uncertainty throughout the NHL.