Toronto Maple Leafs: 6 ideal forwards to target at trade deadline

Toronto Maple Leafs trade deadline target: Eric Staal

If the Leafs want to continue their pursuit of players who bring the experience necessary to win a championship.

They desperately need a permanent solution for their third-line centre spot or a player that can play on the second line with Tavares and Nylander. Adding Eric Staal would give the Leafs options as long as he is willing to not have Toronto on his no-trade list.

He’s the type of player who could opt to have most of the Canadian teams on his list in order to avoid a 14-day quarantine. On top of that, his former team, the Carolina Hurricanes could be big players for Staal.

If the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t provide this hurdle, the Leafs would be an ideal landing spot for Staal. That’s not to say he wouldn’t consider it but Toronto has to be realistic about the possibility that they aren’t as attractive as a landing spot.

Toronto Maple Leafs trade target: Kyle Palmieri

If the Leafs want a player who brings a different style to their forward group, Kyle Palmieri brings those elements.

Not only is he physical but the 30-year-old has the track record of being a consistent goal scorer. Unfortunately, Palmieri is stuck with a lack of supporting cast around him in New Jersey.

The Devils have tried to make moves to push forward but it hasn’t worked out in the way they expected. This is why they need to continue acquiring younger assets that can push their rebuild forward.

In this case, the Leafs need to be careful with what the Devils are looking to get back in return. Given he has consistently put up between 25 to 30 goals a season, New Jersey will want a first-round pick but the Leafs will likely want to put conditions on it.

Who do you think the Leafs should acquire at the trade deadline? Is acquiring a forward the top priority? Let us know in the comments below.