Creating Controversy: Top 10 Most Likely Maple Leafs to Get Dealt

Yes, it’s that time of year again.

The time of year when the rumor mill begins to turn, and NHL GMs are working the phones constantly while trying to put together the best deal possible.

The time of year when the best players begin to play even better, and when new names are rumored to be on the move (like Alex Kovalev).

However, perhaps the team with the most rumors surrounding it could be the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke has had to listen to all of the rumors floating around the Leafs organization, and he too has received trade offers and talked to his own players and other teams about trade possibilities.

So today I have gathered a list of 10 Maple Leafs that have the best chance at getting dealt at this years March 4 trading deadline.

10. Matt Stajan

In 2002, the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Belleville Bulls centre Matt Stajan, 57th overall.

There were high hopes for Stajan, who has always been a consistent 15-goal scorer throughout his entire career.

However, in 56 games so far this season, Stajan is enjoying a career year, on pace for 19 goals in 76 games. Look for Matt Stajan to draw some attention come deadline day.

9. Lee Stempniak

Lee Stempniak, who was acquired in the trade that saw Carlo Colaiacovo and Alex Steen go to St. Louis, has struggled since coming to Toronto, but is beginning to find his groove. Lee Stempniak was brought in to provide offense and grit, while allowing the Maple Leafs to free up space on their defense.

The Maple Leafs will look to get a 3rd-4th rounder, or a decent prospect.

8. Mike Van Ryn

Van Ryn is not the type of player the Maple Leafs brought in for the entire rebuild. He was brought in so the Maple Leafs could trade Brian McCabe’s big contract, while providing the offense and defense that the Buds were looking for on the back end.

Mike Van Ryn, now 29 years old, is still young yet can provide a veteran presence in any NHL locker room—a great combination to have.

7. Vesa Toskala

It was at the 2007 draft in Columbus when Leafs’ GM John Ferguson made the trade that brought Mark Bell (now playing for the New York Rangers) and Vesa Toskala to Toronto.

In the 2007-08 campaign, Toskala finished the season with a stellar 2.74 GAA and a .904 save percentage. This season, however, Toskala has struggled, with a 3.27 GAA trough 52 games.

The Maple Leafs must make a decision on Toskala before Wednesday March 4 as to whether he is the goalie that they want to stick with through these tough times.

6. Pavel Kubina

There has been much speculation as to whether or not Brian Burke will deal Pavel Kubina at the trade deadline. If they decide to keep him, then they are retaining a good veteran offensive defenseman. If Burke decides on trading Kubina, then the potential to receive a couple high draft picks is in play.

Through 62 games this season, Kubina has 10 goals and 24 assists.

5. Alexei Ponikarovsky

The big forward from Kiev, Ukraine has been having a career year on a line with Matt Stajan and Nik Antropov. Never before has Ponikarovsky played all 82 games; however, this year it seems as though he may just finish the entire season.

Through 62 games, Poni has 17 goals and 39 points, which puts him on pace to finish with 22 goals, surpassing his career high of 21; and 51 points, surpassing his career high of 45.

Ponikarovsky will definitely attract attention from teams like Columbus come March 4.

4. Jason Blake

When the Maple Leafs signed Jason Blake to a huge contract in the 2007 offseason, everyone was excited about the idea that the Leafs had a 40 goal scorer on their roster. However, in 2007-08, Blake’s first season with the team, he failed to match even half of his goal total from the previous year.

This year has been a rebound year for Jason Blake. He now has 22 goals through 58 games and is on a roll. He would be perfect for the Maple Leafs, right?

Right.

He has the potential to get them a high draft pick and a good prospect. And if the Maple Leafs keep him, lets just hope he plays this way for the rest of his career.

Its funny how he is heating up right around the trade deadline, isn’t it?

3. Ian White

This shouldn’t be a hard decision for Brian Burke.

Ian White is a multi-position player who can provide offense on defense and on the wing. White, who was drafted by the Maple Leafs 191st overall (sixth round) in 2002, would be the perfect fit for a team like Ottawa, who could use White on both offense and defense.

Look for White to be traded for a forward prospect.

2. Tomas Kaberle

The Maple Leafs didn’t know how much of a steal Tomas Kaberle was at the 1996 entry draft (8th round, 204th overall) until the 1998-99 season, when he scored 22 points in 57 games.

Ever since then, Kaberle has been one of the Maple Leafs’ greatest leaders, and has proven himself to be one of the best puck-moving defenseman in the league.

That is the exact reason why Kaberle will draw so much attention at the deadline from teams who are trying to make it into the playoffs. The trades that are offered for Kaberle are expected to include a first round pick, a prospect and/or a second round pick.

1. Nik Antropov

It appears as though Antropov’s injuries are behind him.

For the first time in his career, Antropov is on pace to finish all 82 games, with a career high 27 goals; 31 assists; and 59 points.

While enjoying a career year, Antropov is in the last year of his contract. Brian Burke has made it clear to Antropov, Leafs fans, and the media that he will not be back next season.

Look for Antropov to be the last Maple Leaf dealt on deadline day (perhaps in the last hour), as Brian Burke will try to get the best deal possible for Antropov.